Comparative evaluation of the effect of palatal vault configuration on dimensional changes in complete denture during processing as well as after water immersion.

Polymerization shrinkage is one of the major drawbacks of the acrylic resin. The present study was conducted to evaluate the dimensional changes occurring in the dentures, constructed on the casts having different configurations of the palatal vault, during processing and the effect of water sorption on the processed dentures. Eight maxillary edentulous casts having U, F and V configurations of palatal vault were selected and complete dentures were fabricated. Dimensional changes occurring in the processed dentures were studied in different regions during processing as well as after water sorption. It was observed that dimensional changes in frontal and vertical planes were maximum in V shaped palatal vault dentures. Water sorption partly compensated for the dimensional changes that occurred during processing.