Comparison of the dimensional stability of two waxes and two acrylic resin processing techniques in the production of complete dentures.

Two base plate waxes and two denture processing techniques were independently compared for dimensional stability. Occlusion rims were constructed from extra hard and medium soft base plate waxes and teeth were set. Acrylic resin bases were processed by a trial packing technique, and a continuous injection system. Tooth movement was measured in the horizontal and vertical planes to assess wax and denture base dimensional changes at various steps in the process, and after 1, 3, and 8 weeks of denture base immersion in water at room temperature. Posterior palatal border adaptation, incisal pin opening and loss of centric occlusion contacts, were also measured. Results showed there were no significant differences between the two waxes as determined by tooth movement in the horizontal and vertical planes. In comparison to the trial packing technique, the continuous injection system showed significantly smaller changes for incisal pin opening and loss of centric occlusion, and better adaptation of the posterior palatal border to the cast. Measurement of tooth movement in the horizontal and vertical planes showed no significant differences between the two processing techniques for times prior to immersion in water, whereas after 8 weeks immersion the continuous injection technique showed smaller dimensional changes, relative to the original dimensions at the time of investing.