[Surface properties of resins used for removable dentures]

The comparative study of the gingival aspect of dentures made from different flasking procedures, using scanning electronic microscopy, permits the differences in the surface texture of the resins to be assessed. This surface texture will show specific aspects for each technique. The Futurajet resin presents a surface texture with cracks of 100 microns to 200 microns long and 5 microns wide. The appearance of the polymer pellets reveals a good cohesion amongst them. The Futuracryl 2000 resin has an overall surface like an orange peel, with a hills and valleys revealing a rather weak attack of the monomer on the polymer. The palatal surface of the SR-Ivocap resin shows pleats and perpendicular fractures. The surface of the buccal aspect of the ridge is relatively smooth. The Lucitone resin shows a surface with very few irregularities, in which the polymer pellets are well dissolved. In conclusion, no porosities are found on the surface of the various resins. We think that the chemical composition of the resin influences this surface texture and the flasking technique being able to disturb the surface of the resin.