Microstrain Analysis of Selective Pressure Techniques for Mandibular Complete Denture Impression: An In Vivo Study

Aim The present in vivo study was undertaken for microstrain analysis of the selective pressure impression technique using strain gauges in mandibular complete denture impression. Methodology Ten completely edentulous patients undergoing complete denture treatment were selected for the study. For each patient, mandibular casts were made, and two custom trays were fabricated on the mandibular cast. These mandibular trays were divided into two groups: those with mandibular impressions made in the custom tray with the use of a spacer (MST) and those without a spacer (MWS). For each patient, a primary impression was made by using an impression compound. After that, the primary cast was obtained, and the custom tray was fabricated by using auto polymerizing resin. Then strain gauges were attached to the particular areas of the tray. The customized tray with zinc oxide eugenol impression material was seated in the patient's mouth for the final impression. The strain produced during impression making at different areas was recorded by a multi-channel (six) strain amplifier and data logger (8-channel digital strain indicator NIC, Jaipur, India). The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using an independent t-test (for quantitative data within two groups). The level of significance was set at p=0.05 (p<0.05-significant, p<0.01-highly significant, p<0.0001-very highly significant). Results The comparison of the percentage of microstrain produced at the relief area with and without spacer tray design showed a statistically significant (p=0.001) result with a greater number of percentages of microstrain among those without spacers (94.19) than with spacer (72.09) tray design. Conclusion The use of a tray with relief for selective pressure impression of an edentulous mandible resulted in a desirable pressure distribution at the alveolar crests and buccal shelves.