Accuracy of adaptation of thermoformed poly(methyl methacrylate)

Thermoformed poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) sheet is used to produce a number of different dental appliances such as stents, occlusal splints and baseplates for occlusal rims. The purpose of the present study was to measure the accuracy of adaptation of Perspex PMMA sheet and to determine the effect of annealing on the accuracy of the thermoformed specimens. The results of the study showed that PMMA can produce specimens that are accurately adapted to the cast. Immersion in water resulted in an increase in the space between the cast and the specimen for both thermoformed and thermoformed and annealed acrylic resin. Annealing of the thermoformed specimens had significantly less increase in space between the cast and the specimens when immersed in water over a period of 3 months.