Comparison of two cooling procedures on linear dimensional change of heat cured acrylic maxillary complete denture base

ABSTRACT

Certain dimensional changes are known to occur in acrylic resin during or after its processing. These changes hold clinical significance because better adaptation of denture base to oral tissues is related to minimum dimensional changes after processing. This study aimed at the evaluation of linear dimensional changes of maxillary heat cured denture bases after bench cooling and rapid cooling procedure. It was a randomized controlled trial, done in Central Dental Laboratory at Armed Force Institute of Dentistry. 60 heat cured acrylic resin [PMMA], maxillary complete denture bases divided into two equal groups [A and B] of 30 each randomly using a scientific random number table were fabricated bypassing through standard heating cycle and then the flask cooled by bench cooling method and rapid cooling method for 30 each. Linear dimensional changes from point A to B, A to C and B to C were noted. The study sample were considered to be significant with the p-value 0.003, 0.001 and 0.001 respectively. Bench cooling is a preferable technique to improve the mucosal adaptation of the denture base and less dimensional changes