Introduction: Dentists face numerous challenges in providing high-quality care to their patients, with one of the most significant being the selection of appropriate materials. These materials are crucial for creating prosthetic devices that not only function effectively but also meet aesthetic standards. Aims: to evaluate the effects of 2% hydrogen peroxide and 1% peracetic acid on the surface hardness and roughness of polycarbonate material.

Materials and methods: Polycarbonate specimens were submerged in solutions of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid (1% and 2%, respectively). A total of 30 specimens were produced and divided into three groups: control, 1% peracetic acid, and 2% hydrogen peroxide, with 10 specimens for each test (hardness and roughness). The specimens were submerged in disinfecting solutions for five minutes three times every day for 12 days. A one-way ANOVA was used for each material, followed by an independent t test to compare polycarbonate and polyamide.

Results: In this study, the hardness of polycarbonate (PC) was significantly affected by different disinfectants: control (86.671), 2% hydrogen peroxide (83.401), and 1% peracetic acid (80.631) (p < 0.05). Similarly, the surface roughness of PC differed significantly among groups: control (3.241), 2% hydrogen peroxide (3.912), and 1% peracetic acid (4.121) (p < 0.05). Tukey post-hoc analysis indicated significant roughness differences between all groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: It was concluded that the immersion of polycarbonate in 1% acetic acid and 2% hydrogen peroxide solutions can alter the surface properties of the injectable denture base materials.