Denture Liners: A Systematic Review Relative to Adhesion and Mechanical Properties

PURPOSE: The objective of this systematic review is to compare results concerning the properties of adhesion, roughness, and hardness of dental liners obtained in the last ten years. METHODS: Searches on the databases LILACS, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were supplemented with manual searches conducted between February and April of 2018. The inclusion criteria included experimental in vitro and in vivo, clinical, and laboratory studies on resilient and/or hard liners, assessment of hardness, roughness, and/or adhesion to the denture base, and physical/mechanical changes resulting from the disinfection process and changes in liners' composition or application. RESULTS: A total of 406 articles were identified and, from those, 44 are discussed. Twenty-four studies examined the bond strength, 13 surface roughness, and 19 the hardness. Of these 44 studies, 12 evaluated more than one property. Different substances were used in the attempt to improve adhesion. Considering roughness and hardness, the benefits of sealants have been tested, and the changes resulting from antimicrobial agents' incorporation have been assessed. CONCLUSION: Adhesion to the prosthesis base is improved with surface treatments. Rough surfaces and changes in hardness compromise the material's serviceability.