Different materials used for fabrication of the

denture base of the complete denture prosthesis

When discussing the topic denture base fabrication we must first come to terms with what
exactly is meant by denture base. For starters a denture base is the part of the denture that
rests on the oral tissue and its where the artificial teeth are attached.It’s usually made of a type
of dental acrylic resin material that’s shaped to fit the patients mouth, it provides even
distribution of the forces of speaking and chewing evenly across the mouth and plays an
important role in creating a natural looking functional denture.

So what exactly are these denture bases made up of? Well! when mentioning materials used
to fabricate denture bases we must first address polymethylmethacrylates(PMMA) which is the
most commonly used denture base material. However, its not the only one, now there are
newer materials used for denture base fabrication, which include:

1. Thermoplastic resins:
Are substances that, when heated at a high temperature, become liquids before
becoming hard once more. These characteristics allow thermoplastic materials to be
molded into a wide range of forms and structures, making plastic resins useful across
numerous sectors such as fabrication of denture base due to their ease of use ,
favorable mechanical properties and esthetic appeal.

Thermoplastic resins have several indications in denture base fabrication, including:

1. The transparent appearance of thermoplastic resins, which can closely mimic the
patient's natural gum color, makes them advantageous for patients with high
aesthetic needs.
 2. Individuals with sensitive oral tissues can experience greater comfort and less
irritability thanks to thermoplastic resins' increased flexibility compared to
conventional acrylic resins.

3. Patients with uneven or irregular alveolar ridges can benefit from thermoplastic
resins since they can be altered and molded more easily than conventional
acrylic resins.

4. Individuals having a history of allergies or negative responses to the base

materials used in conventional dentures: Because thermoplastic resins are
hypoallergenic and biocompatible, they are a viable option for patients who have
had negative responses to conventional denture base materials.

Mechanical properties: Good mechanical characteristics of thermoplastic resins include

excellent impact resistance, flexibility, and fatigue resistance. Moreover, they have exceptional
thermal stability and little water absorption.

Advantages:

• Esthetic appeal: the natural color of the gums and teeth can be precisely
mimicked using thermoplastic polymers.

• They are simple to process and modify, making them a popular option for
dentists

• Comfort: compared to some other denture base materials, they are more
comfortable for patients to wear due to their flexibility and excellent fit

• Biocompatibility: Thermoplastic resins are non-allergenic and biocompatible.

Disadvantages:

• Cost: Compared to some other denture base materials, they may be more
expensive.
 • Thermoplastic resins have a higher staining susceptibility than other materials,
which may be problematic for some people.
• While being typically strong, they could not last as long as some other denture
foundation materials.

The procedures for creating a complete denture (C.D.) from thermoplastic resin in the
manufacturing of the denture base are comparable to those for conventional acrylic resin
dentures and include:

1. Making an impression: To make a cast or model, an impression of the patient's oral

tissues is taken.

2. Jaw relation records: To ensure proper occlusion, records of the relationship between
the upper and lower jaws are made.
3. Wax try-in: A wax try-in is made to assess the fit, usability, and appearance of the
denture.

4. Flasking: used to retain the denture base material for processing, the wax try-in is
placed.

5. Injection molding, the thermoplastic resin is heated until it melts into a liquid, then it is
injected under intense pressure into the flask. The denture base is subsequently formed
by the resin hardening.
 6. Finishing and polishing: The denture is taken out of the flask, the surface is polished,
and any extra material is cut.

2. Microwaves

Microwaves are a type of electromagnetic radiation that’s is used in dentistry in a variety of

applications, one of them being fabrication of denture base materials. Microwaves in denture
base fabrication refers to the use of microwave energy to process denture base materials,
which means the mechanical properties of the denture base materials can be different
compared to those processed with traditional methods.

Mechanical properties:

1) High strength: Materials used to make denture bases that have undergone microwave
processing can show high strength and a resistance to fracture, which is crucial for
ensuring the durability of the denture.

2) Increased flexibility: Microwave energy can make the denture base material more
flexible, which can help the denture fit better and equally distribute biting pressures.

3) Improved impact resistance: The denture base material's impact resistance may be
improved using microwave radiation, which is crucial to stop the denture from fracturing
or cracking when dropped or subjected to abrupt impacts.

4) Microwave processing can effectively minimize the amount of gaps or pores in the
denture base material, improving the denture's resistance to bacterial development,
stains, and smells.
 It’s indications include:

I. Patients who need dentures immediately

II. Cases with a high volume - Microwave processing is perfect for instances with a
high volume when several denture bases must be made swiftly and effectively.

III. Better fit and comfort - Denture bases made using microwave processing can fit and
feel more comfortable on patients, making it a great option for those with particular
needs or unusual anatomical traits.

Advantages:

• Faster processing time - As compared to standard processing methods,

microwave processing can considerably shorten the time required to produce
denture bases.

• Microwave processing can generate denture bases with better mechanical

qualities, such as greater strength and durability.

• Microwave processing employs less energy than traditional processing methods,

lowering environmental effect and expense.

Disadvantages:

• Expense - As compared to traditional processing equipment, the initial cost of

acquiring a microwave processing machine might be greater.

• Microwave processing machines may not be accessible in all dental

laboratories or clinics, which limits access to the technology.

• Microwave processing necessitates specific technical skills and training, which

may not be easily available.

Steps of making C.D using microwaves include:

1. Impressions: Taking impressions of the patient's mouth with a bespoke tray and
a fast-setting impression substance is the first stage in constructing a full
denture utilizing microwaves.
2. Making the model: The imprints are then filled with dental stone to make a
duplicate of the patient's mouth cavity.

3. Wax setup: The wax denture teeth are positioned in the wax foundation to meet
the occlusion and esthetic needs of the patient.
 4. Microwaving: The wax arrangement is then placed in a specialized microwave
device, where the wax melts and the polymerization of the denture resin begins
using microwave radiation. This procedure might take a few minutes.

5. Finishing and polishing: The denture is completed and polished after

microwave curing, and the occlusion is modified as needed.

3. Thermopress:

Thermopress is a heat-cured denture base material that is extensively used in denture

base production. It is a thermoplastic substance that may be moulded to fit the patient's oral
cavity when heated.

Mechanical properties:

1. Thermopress has a lower modulus of elasticity than heat-cured acrylic resin and is
more flexible.
 2. It has lesser compressive and flexural strength than heat-cured acrylic resin.

3. As compared to heat-cured acrylic resin, it has a lower coefficient of thermal

expansion.

Indications:

1. Thermopress may be used to create partial or full denture bases.

2. It is appropriate for people who are allergic to traditional acrylic resins or have
delicate oral mucosa.

3. It is also appropriate for people who require a reduced weight denture due to oral
tissue problems or the presence of additional oral appliances.

Advantages:

• Thermopress is a thermoplastic material that is easy to handle and shape, making

it excellent for denture foundation manufacturing.

• It has less polymerization shrinkage than heat-cured acrylic resin, lowering the
likelihood of gaps between the denture base and oral tissues.

• It is lightweight and pleasant to wear for the patient.

• It has excellent color stability, which means it will not fade over time.

Disadvantages:

• The product is more costly than standard heat-cured acrylic resin.

• It is less resistant to impact and wear than heat-cured acrylic resin.

• Because of its pliability, the denture base may necessitate more frequent
modifications.

Steps used in fabrication of denture base using thermopress:

1. Initially, impressions of the patient's mouth are obtained with a bespoke tray and
appropriate impression material.
2. Modeling: Using the imprints, a stone model of the patient's mouth is made.

3. On the stone model, a wax configuration of the denture teeth and denture base is
constructed. This gives the dentist the opportunity to make any required
modifications to the setup before moving on to the next phase.
4. Flasking: After placing the wax setup in a flask, a mold is formed by immersing the
wax setup in gypsum.

5. Heat curing: The flask is then put in a heat-curing equipment, where the
Thermopress material is heated to its melting point before being pushed into the
mold to form the denture foundation.

6. Finishing and polishing: After forming and cooling the denture foundation, it is
withdrawn from the flask and any extra material is cut away. The denture base is
then finished and polished to produce a smooth, pleasant surface for the patient.
References:
1. Klironomos, T., Katsimpali, A. and Polyzois, G. (2015) The effect of microwave
disinfection on denture base polymers, liners and teeth: A basic overview, Acta
stomatologica Croatica. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4993596/ (Accessed: March 6, 2023).

2. Prajwala N, Kumar CR, Sujesh M, Rao DC, Pavani L. Denture base reinforcing
materials-A review. IP. Ann. Prosthodont. Restor. Dent. 2020 Jun 15;6:52-9.

3. Ibraheem, E.M.A. and Hammad, H.G.H. (2019) Effect of commercially available denture
adhesives on microhardness of a flexible denture base material, Open access
Macedonian journal of medical sciences. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Available at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6447329/ (Accessed: March 6, 2023).

4. Goiato MC, Pesqueira AA, Ramos da Silva C, Gennari Filho H, dos Santos DM,
Haddad MF. Microwave processing of denture base acrylic resin: effect on mechanical
properties and polymerization. J Prosthodont. 2013 Mar;22(3):218-22. doi:
10.1111/jopr.12002. Epub 2012 Nov 20. PMID: 23167880.