Tooth movement during processing of complete dentures and its relation to palatal form.

Tooth movement during processing of acrylic resin complete dentures was investigated in relation to palatal form. Eleven clinical casts were radiographed at four denture-processing stages. Seven points were located across each cast. Radiographs were digitized and the images obtained were processed and analyzed for precise measurement of tooth movement. A palatal form index was developed. With respect to a relationship between tooth movement and palatal form, certain trends were found with varying degree and direction, shedding light on the behavior of base material and the dimensional changes that occurred during processing.