Adaptation of acrylic resin dentures as influenced by the activation mode of polymerization.

With the advent of newer methods of activation of the polymerization of denture base resins, there is a need to compare dentures constructed using various modes of activation such as heat, light, and microwave energy. This study compares the dimensional accuracy of a conventional heat-activated acrylic resin poly (methyl methacrylate) with a new pour resin, a visible light-activated resin, and microwave-activated acrylic resin, all polymerized for denture bases. All groups showed a processing contraction; the poorest-fitting group was processed in a brass flask and a water bath at 70-100 C, using a heat-activated resin (Acron); the relatively new light-activated resin (Triad) produced dentures of intermediate accuracy, as did Acupac 20, when either heat- or microwave-activated. The two best-fitting groups were prepared from an autopolymerizing resin (PERform) and the microwave-activated resin (Acron MC).