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Stomatologia 1996, 53(3):112-119
Review
MICROWAVES IN DENTISTRY
S. YANNIKAKIS, K. DIMITRIOU, A. ZISSIS
SUMMARY Microwaves are a form of electromagnetic radiation mainly used in radar and telecommunications. Their frequency have a range from 300MHz up to 300.000Mhz. The microwaves are produced from a generator called a magnetron. Domestic microwave ovens use a frequency of 2450MHz which orient the molecules of some materials and change their direction nearly five million times a second. Consequently, numerous intermolecular collisions occur and cause rapid temperature rising. Microwaves resonance therapy are used experimentaly in medicine and there are many reports about applications of microwave energy in the treatment of various diseases e.g. tumors, lymphedema, pain, rachitis e.t.c. One of the most important applications of microwaves in medicine, dental and veterinary practice, is the lethal effect on microorganisms. The method is nondestructive, rapid and effective in eliminating contamination. Microwaves in dentistry were firstly reported by M. Nishii in 1968 for curing denture base material. This method holds the following advantages: the reduced curing time (3 minutes), shortened dough-forming time, more homogenous dough and easy handling. The physicomechanical properties of microwave cured denture bases, are similar to those by the conventional one. Microwaves are also used for maxillofacial elastomers polymerization. So microwaves can be used in every day clinical and laboratory practice as a sterilization and curing method.
KEY WORDS: Microwaves, Sterilization, Polymerization, Acrylic resin.
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