[Elastomers and peripheral seal in complete maxillary dentures]

First the various physical factors involved in retention are discussed. Adhesion is designed by the Gibert formula: [formula: see text] bringing the notion of interfacial surface delimited by the fluid meniscus (epsilon) and the thickness of the salivary film at the site of formation of the meniscus (h). Atmospheric pressure plays a role by the formation of a periphery seal ensuring the creation of a depression of the interfacial fluid in order to oppose the forces of pulling. As a summary, it is important to achieve the formation of a salivary meniscus: with the smallest curvature; continuous despite the mobility of the mucosa; beyond the limit between the free mucosa and the attached mucosa and the "farthest" possible from this area. The purpose of recording the periphery borders is to obtain the highest and widest possible denture flanges without any over-extension or over-thickness. The authors then propose performing a comparative study of the various materials available for recording the periphery of maxillary full dentures, in order to determine which best responds to the criteria of quality mentioned. Several recording techniques are possible, depending on the material used: either a segmented border recording (widely described); or a recording of the periphery seal in one or several stages which is then illustrated by the use of Impregum. For each patient, recordings of the periphery was made according to a protocol always identical and precise; only the material used for this purpose (Kerr compound, regular Neo-Plex and Impregum) varied. The measure taken from these recordings showed that Impregum demonstrates the highest and thickness borders as opposed to Neo-Plex and Kerr compound which provided intermediary results. Thus, Impregum appears to be the material of choice for the optimal recording of the functional periphery seal in maxillary full dentures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)