Accuracy of wax, autopolymerized, and light-polymerized resin pattern materials

The marginal fit of MOD inlay and full-crown patterns fabricated from wax, autopolymerized acrylic resin, and two light-polymerized, diacrylate resin pattern materials was compared on standardized dies.

Four pattern materials were studied-two light-polymerized, diacrylate resin materials (Palavit G LC and Triad VLC Burnout Paste), an inlay wax, and an autopolymerized resin (Duralay). Patterns were fabricated using incremental and bulk techniques on stone dies made from addition silicone impressions of American Dental Association MOD and full-crown master dies. Gaps were measured with a measuring microscope in four marginal areas on the master dies at 1 and 24 hours after fabrication.

For the MOD inlay patterns, marginal gaps ranged from 7 to 23 microns, and the light-polymerized, diacrylate resins and autopolymerized acrylic resin material had statistically smaller gaps than the inlay wax. For the full-crown patterns, marginal gaps ranged from 10 to 23 microns, with the exception of the autopolymerized acrylic resin prepared by the bulk technique (40 to 46 microns). With the incremental technique, the light-polymerized, diacrylate resins and inlay wax had statistically smaller gaps than the autopolymerized acrylic resin material. Overall, the incremental technique produced equal or smaller marginal gaps than the bulk technique for full-crown patterns. Generally, the patterns measured at 1 hour had smaller marginal gaps than at 24 hours.

When measured on intra- and extracoronal master dies, the light-polymerized, diacrylate resins had equal or better marginal fit, compared with wax or autopolymerized acrylic resin, and were less affected by placement technique and storage. The marginal gaps of all four pattern materials ranged from 7 to 46 microns and are within the range of clinical acceptability.