The use of microwave energy to cure denture acrylic resins

Experiments have been carried out on the curing of poly(methyl methacrylate) denture base material in a microwave oven, using conventional dental flasks and flask clamps. It has been shown that it is important (a) to maintain sufficient pressure on the materials, (b) to avoid gaseous porosity by not heating too rapidly initially, and (c) to ensure that all metal is protected from exposure to microwaves. When the appropriate conditions of polymerisation were used, microwave-cured samples had satisfactory physical and mechanical properties according to American Dental Association specification number 12.