Color stability of facial silicone prosthetic polymers after outdoor weathering (original) (raw)

1999, The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry

Prostheti c elastomers used for the fabrication of facial prostheses have their own physical and mechanical properties, but they do share common clinical problems that can be grouped into 2 major categories: (1) gradual discoloration of prostheses in a service environment and (2) degradation of physical, static, and dynamic mechanical properties. 1-4 The ability to withstand color change when exposed to sunlight over an extended period is one of the most desirable performance characteristics of an ideal facial prosthetic elastomer. 5,6 The discoloration of a facial prosthesis may be caused by color change of intrinsic or extrinsic coloration as a result of external environmental factors and is related to the intrinsic color stability of elastomers and colorants (pigments, flockings), or loss of external coloration on the prosthesis. 7-10 Regardless of the type of elastomer used in the fabrication of a facial prosthesis, its service life is usually 6 months to 2 years, with an average time of 10 to 12 months. 2,3,11 The inherent color stability of nonpigmented elastomer is a contributing variable to the overall color stability of a facial prosthesis experienced in clinical situations. For