Abstract
The dimensional changes of the denture base of mandibular removable partial denture (Kennedy class I modification 1) following polymerization were examined. The removable partial dentures were made from three different denture base resins (heat-cured, pour-type, microwave-cured). The dimensional changes of the denture base were measured by using the three-dimensional measurement system over a period of 4 weeks. Immediately after deflasking, the heat-cured dentures showed linear shrinkage of 0.37% to 0.59%. The pour-type dentures showed linear shrinkage of 0.16% to 0.30%, but the lingual flange showed linear expansion of 0.08%. The microwave-cured dentures showed linear shrinkage of 0.30% to 0.68%. After deflasking up to 4 weeks, the heat-cured and the microwave-cured dentures gradually expanded, but these dimensions did not reach the original model size. The pour-type dentures gradually expanded, and their dimensions reached the original model size, but the lingual flange showed linear expansion of 0.65%.
