To evaluate the effectiveness of different microwave irradiation exposure times on the disinfection of dental stone samples immersed in different solutions, and its affect on the dimensional accuracy and surface porosity. Dental stone casts were inoculated with an isolate of Bacillus subtilis to examine the efficiency of microwave irradiation as a disinfection method while immersed in different solutions; water, 40% sodium chloride, or without immersion for different durations. Dimensional accuracy and surface porosity were also evaluated. Significant reduction in colony counts of Bacillus subtilis were observed after 5 minutes of microwave irradiation of immersed dental casts in water and NaCl solution. No evidence of growth was observed after 10 minutes while immersed in water or NaCl solution. Dimensional accuracy of dental stone was significantly affected by immersion in water for 5 or 10 minutes during exposure to microwave irradiation while it was insignificant affected by immersed in NaCl solution, or in dry air. The surface porosity of dental stone was significantly affected by the immersed in water and NaCl solution for 5 or 10 minutes while it was insignificantly affected by dry conditions during microwave disinfection. Immersion the dental stone casts improved the effectiveness of microwave irradiation as a disinfection method. The dimensional accuracy and surface porosity was adversely affected but within the clinical limitation.
