Evaluation of Three Different Processing Techniques in the Fabrication of Complete Dentures

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The objective of the present study is to compare the effectiveness of three different processing techniques and to find out the accuracy of processing techniques through number of occlusal interferences and increase in vertical dimension after denture processing. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 18 patients indicated for complete denture fabrication was selected for the study and they were divided into three subgroups. Three processing techniques, compression molding and injection molding using prepolymerized resin and unpolymerized resin, were used to fabricate dentures for each of the groups. After processing, laboratory-remounted dentures were evaluated for number of occlusal interferences in centric and eccentric relations and change in vertical dimension through vertical pin rise in articulator. Data were analyzed using statistical test ANOVA and SPSS software version 19.0 by IBM was used. RESULTS Data obtained from three groups were subjected to one-way ANOVA test. After ANOVA test, results with significant variations were subjected to post hoc test. Number of occlusal interferences with compression molding technique was reported to be more in both centric and eccentric positions as compared to the two injection molding techniques with statistical significance in centric, protrusive, right lateral nonworking, and left lateral working positions (P < 0.05). Mean vertical pin rise (0.52 mm) was reported to more in compression molding technique as compared to injection molding techniques, which is statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Within the limitations of this study, injection molding techniques exhibited less processing errors as compared to compression molding technique with statistical significance. There was no statistically significant difference in processing errors reported within two injection molding systems.