Palatal Vault Depth Influence on the Flexural Strength of Two Heat Cure Acrylic Denture Base Resins - An In vitro Comparative Study

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the flexural strength on denture bases fabricated on different palatal vault depths. Also, to compare the flexural strength of high impact heat cure resin with regular heat cure resin denture bases. Edentulous casts with deep, medium and shallow palatal vault depth were selected. Three different moulds were made in silicone duplicating material. 12 modified casts in each group of palatal vault were made in dental stone. Two different types of heat cure resins regular and high impact were used. A total of 36 specimens obtained were stored in water at room temperature and subjected to fracture in Universal testing machine. Results obtained were statistically evaluated using t-test (p<0.05). Results revealed that the denture bases fabricated on medium palatal vault depth had best flexural strength and high impact heat cure resin had increased resistance to fracture. The depth of palatal vault and the type of heat cure resin significantly affect the fracture resistance of denture bases.