Indirect latex glove contamination and its inhibitory effect on vinyl polysiloxane polymerization

Kimoto, Katsuhiko; Tanaka, Kinya; Toyoda, Minoru; Ochiai, Kent T.

doi:10.1016/j.prosdent.2005.02.015

« Previous Next »Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Volume 93, Issue 5 , Pages 433-438, May 2005

Indirect latex glove contamination and its inhibitory effect on vinyl polysiloxane polymerization

Katsuhiko Kimoto, DDS, PhD
- Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation, Kanagawa Dental College
- Reprint requests to: Dr Katsuhiko Kimoto, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation, Kanagawa Dental College, 82 Inaoka-Cho Yokosuka, Kanagawa 238-8580, JAPAN, Fax: 81-46-822-8861
Kinya Tanaka, DDS, PhD
- Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation, Kanagawa Dental College
Minoru Toyoda, DDS, PhD
- Professor and Chairman, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation, Kanagawa Dental College
Kent T. Ochiai, DDS
- Lecturer, Division of Advanced Prosthodontics, Biomaterials and Hospital Dentistry, UCLA School of Dentistry; Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Bioengineering, Surgical and Therapeutic Sciences, University of Southern California

Kanagawa Dental College, Kanagawa, Japan; UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, Calif; Division of Bioengineering, Surgical and Therapeutic Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif

Statement of problem

The inhibitory effect of indirect latex contamination on the polymerization of vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) impression material has been previously reported. However, the transfer of specific elements that cause inhibition has not been confirmed, nor has the removal of such contaminants been reported.

Purpose

This study examined the surfaces of materials commonly used in restorative procedures that were contaminated by indirect latex glove contact and then evaluated for inhibition of polymerization of VPS. The effect of selected cleansing procedures was then studied.

Material and methods

Four experimental groups (n=8) were prepared: (1) clean vinyl gloves (control), (2) clean gingival retraction cords (control), (3) contaminated vinyl gloves, and (4) contaminated gingival retraction cord. Microscopic evaluation of the appearance and the characterization of surface particulate contamination were performed for each. Three cleansing protocols were then evaluated for efficacy in cleaning vinyl glove surfaces contaminated by latex contact (n=10): (1) brushing with water, (2) brushing with soap/rinsing with water, (3) cleansing with rubbing alcohol. The subsequent degree of VPS polymerization inhibition was evaluated subjectively. A chi-square test was used for data analysis (α=.05).

Results

Particulate sulfur elements and sulfur-chloride compounds were present on the contaminated substrates. None of the 3 cleansing procedures eliminated polymerization inhibition (P=.33). Residual elemental sulfur remained on all tested surfaces.

Conclusion

Particulate sulfur and sulfur-chloride compounds were identified as the particulate contamination that resulted in polymerization inhibition of the tested VPS dental impression material. Removal of these contaminants from the tested vinyl gloves and gingival retraction cord was not possible with the 3 cleansing protocols tested in this study.