Date of Award
Spring 2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Dentistry
First Advisor
Thompson, Geoffrey A.
Second Advisor
Maroulakos, Georgios
Third Advisor
Berzins, David W.
Abstract
Triad Visible Light Cure (VLC) Denture Base Material, a light-polymerizing resin material, is commonly used by clinicians to make trial bases during the fabrication of dentures and in planning the prosthetic and surgical rehabilitation of edentulous patients. A well-known drawback to this material, however, is its tendency to distort during the light-polymerization process. This distortion tends to occur most often towards the posterior aspect of the palate, and can negatively impact the bases ability to be retained through suction to the edentulous arch. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether an experimental polymerization protocol can mitigate distortion during the polymerization process to allow for a trial base with improved fit and retention. Forty maxillary record bases were created, with one base fabricated on each cast. Twenty casts were used to fabricate trial bases per manufacturer recommendations, another 20 trial bases were fabricated according to the experimental protocol. These subgroups divided into 2 groups of 10, in which one-half of the trial bases made by a given protocol were evaluated for distortion at 1 hour, and the other half was evaluated at 7 days. Statistical analysis was completed for the data collected. From this study, the following conclusions were made: 1. The experimental protocol for fabricating a trial base from Triad VLC material does not experience distortion up to 7 days after being polymerized that is statistically significant when compared to the distortion at 1 hour, but the manufacturer's protocol does experience distortion that is statistically significant. 2. The experimental protocol for fabricating a trial base from Trial VLC material experienced far less distortion than the manufacturer protocol. 3. The experimental protocol might allow for a trial base that fits and retains better than one made using the manufacturer’s protocol.