Silicone elastomers do not have an inherent surface texture but take on the surface texture of the surface against which they are processed. This study compares the surface texture of
Cosmesil material, a purpose-designed facial prosthetic
elastomer, and
Molloplast-B material, which is a well-established material for use in the clinic. We used a profilometer to determine the roughness average, maximum roughness, and waviness of the dies, control,
gypsum, and
silicone test surfaces. Statistical analyses of results involved multivariate analyses of variance and Tukey's procedures to compare roughness average, maximum roughness, and waviness (in all cases p less than 0.05). The results showed that the
silicone elastomers,
Cosmesil and
Molloplast-B, have similar surface characteristics. The only statistically significant difference was in waviness (
Molloplast-B, means = 10.82 microns;
Cosmesil, means = 12.82 microns). The
gypsum surface yielding the most satisfactory result was the surface that had been treated with
silicone paste separator. On the basis of surface characteristics,
Cosmesil material is likely to cause no more surface
trauma of the tissue against which it is placed than the use of
Molloplast-B material.