Effect of frozen storage on preservation of a silicone-based test food material

Author(s)

Garcia Dutra de Castro ^[1] ; Alfonso Sánchez-Ayala ^[2] ; Giancarlo De La Torre Canales ^[3] ; Olívia Maria Costa Figueredo ^[4] ; Mariana Barbosa Câmara-Souza ^[5] ; Camilla Fraga do Amaral ^[6] ; Renata Cunha Matheus Rodrigues Garcia ^[7]

Affiliation

^[1] State University of Ponta Grossa. Department of Dentistry - Brasil

^[2] State University of Ponta Grossa. Department of Dentistry - Brasil

^[3] UNINGA - Brasil

^[4] University of Campinas. Piracicaba Dental School. Departament of Prosthodontics and Periodontology - Brasil

^[5] University of Campinas. Piracicaba Dental School. Departament of Prosthodontics and Periodontology - Brasil

^[6] University of Campinas. Piracicaba Dental School. Departament of Prosthodontics and Periodontology - Brasil

^[7] University of Campinas. Piracicaba Dental School. Departament of Prosthodontics and Periodontology - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Braz. J. Oral Sci.; v. 21, 2022-04-15.

Abstract

Aim This study aimed to evaluate the effect of frozen storage on the physical properties of a silicone-based test food material, highly used to evaluate the masticatory performance in research settings. Methods A total of 1,666 silicone cubes of Optosil Comfort® with 5.6-mm edges were shaped and stored at -18°C. The cubes were subsequently tested for flexural strength (maximum force, displacement, stress, and strain) before breaking (n = 136), changes in weight and size (n = 170), and masticatory performance (n = 1360) at eight timepoints: immediately after cube preparation (baseline, no freezing), and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks, and 2, 4 and 6 months after frozen storage. The cubes were thawed 8 h before each assessment. Results The maximum force, stress, maximum displacement, and deformation values for the cubes were not affected by freezing (P > 0.05). At all of the time points, the cubes exhibited similar weight (P = 0.366) and size (identical values). The masticatory performance for the cubes also showed no differences from baseline through 6 months (P = 0.061). Conclusion Freezing Optosil Comfort® silicone cubes did not alter the physical and mechanical properties of the material, being suitable to optimize the assessment of masticatory parameters for research purposes. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/21674-0 - Comparison of the effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A in patients with refractory chronic orofacial pain according to different somatosensory profiles
• Grantee: Giancarlo de La Torre Canales
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/23429-3 - Influence of behavioral therapies on awake bruxism, biopsychosocial factors and orofacial pain: randomized controlled clinical trial
• Grantee: Mariana Barbosa Câmara de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate