Effect of denture thickness on tooth movement during processing of complete dentures

In this investigation the effect of denture thickness on tooth movement during processing of complete dentures was studied. A maxillary cast from a patient was duplicated to obtain 10 identical casts. Base plates were constructed on five casts using 1.25 mm thick wax. Base plates were constructed on the other five casts using 2.5 mm thick wax. Teeth were placed on the ridge of each cast and a TMS pin was placed vertically, upright, in each tooth. The dentures were invested, cured, decasted, finished and polished. Each denture was radiographed immediately before processing, after deflasking, on removal from the cast and after finishing and polishing using a standard technique. The radiographs were digitized using an Eikonix image digitizer. The results showed that there were significant variations in tooth movement between thick and thin denture bases. Also an increase in the molar-to-molar distance was found in both the thin and thick dentures but the magnitude of tooth movement was more in thick dentures.