Comparison of vertical movement occurring during loading of distal-extension removable partial denture bases made by...

Although the altered-cast impression technique attains stability and controlled tissue support for distal-extension removable partial dentures, the procedure is time-consuming and technique-sensitive. This study clinically compared the vertical displacement of distal-extension removable partial dentures made from different impression techniques. The impressions studied were the altered-cast impression, an impression made from a border-molded custom tray, and a stock tray irreversible hydrocolloid impression that served as a control. A post hoc analysis, using a Tukey Q-test, exhibited significance (p less than 0.01) between the two impression techniques after intraoral loading was performed. Although statistically significant, the 0.19 mm difference between the impression techniques may or may not be clinically relevant. Additional research is required in this area.