Effect of nano-oxides on the color stability of maxillofacial silicone elastomers.

Abstract Statement of problem A significant challenge of craniofacial prostheses is their limited service life because of degradation and color instability. In spite of improvements in the materials and techniques used for the fabrication of silicone maxillofacial prostheses, undesirable color change over time remains a challenge. Zn and Ti nano-oxides (nano-TiO2) have been reported to impart an ultraviolet- (UV) shielding property to silicone elastomers. However, studies examining the effects of nanopigments on the color stability of craniofacial prostheses are sparse. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the color stability of a room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone elastomer with the addition of iron oxide and titanium dioxide nanopigments under accelerated artificial aging. Material and methods Sixty disks (O15×2 mm) were fabricated from RTV silicone 4408 Q. The specimens were divided into 5 groups containing iron oxide nanopigment, iron oxide nanopigment and rutile nano-TiO2 (as an opacifier), burnt sienna pigment, burnt sienna and nano-TiO2, and silicone without pigment or opacifier. The specimens were subjected to accelerated aging in a Xenotest chamber for 1000 hours. CIELab color coordinates and the total color difference (ΔE∗) values were determined before and after aging. ΔE∗ values were compared between the groups by using 1-way ANOVA and Tamhane multiple comparisons (α=.05), and a standard deviation of 1.09 was considered. Results ANOVA showed that the values of ΔE∗ differed among all groups (P Conclusions Nano-TiO2 with burnt sienna groups had a lower color change than the other groups. The color change in all groups was within a clinically acceptable range.