Comparison of changes in vertical dimension of the upper

and lower complete dentures processed using two

investing methods

D.U. Kharat, BDS, MDS; Z. Fakiha, BDS, MS
College of Dentistry,  King Saud University, P.O.Box 60169, Riyadh 11545, Saudi Arabia

Standardized compression molding technique was used to process 14 sets of complete dentures. Seven sets of dentures were invested by the conventional method and the other seven were invested by a mod­ified method. In the latter method, the second layer of the investment extended occlusally only up to the maximum convexity on the labial/buccal and lingual surfaces of the teeth. In the beginning, only the upper or the lower denture was processed and changes in the vertical dimension of occlusion were measured. After that, the other denture was also processed and the increase in the vertical dimension of occlusion of the sets of dentures was measured. All measurements were made at the incisal guide pin using a leaf gauge. Statistical analysis using t-test showed no difference in the changes of vertical dimension of the dentures processed by the two different methods of investing. However, both of the methods of investing showed significantly more increase in vertical dimension of the upper complete dentures than that of the lower complete dentures.

Saudi Dental Journal 1990;2(3):107-111.