A comparative evaluation of retention of record bases fabricated digitally in various types of posterior palatal seal area

Objectives: Intraoral scanners used for the fabrication of milled and 3D-printed complete dentures simplify the procedure. However, its effectiveness in recording the functional peripheral seal area needs to be researched. Therefore, this study aims to assess the retention of conventional, milled and 3D-printed denture bases made from conventional impression technique and digital scans in different types of post palatal seal area.

Material and method: Completely edentulous participants were divided into group A and group B based on type of posterior palatal seal area. Each group received three denture bases fabricated using compression molding, milling and 3D printing. The retention was evaluated using a digital dynamometer at 45° and 90° inclination.

Results: The ANOVA test revealed statistically significant difference in the retention of denture bases fabricated using three different techniques. When compared between the three groups at 45 and 90°, statistically significant difference in the retentive values between the control and other two groups were observed.

Conclusion: All three of the fabrication processes have retention that falls within a clinically acceptable range. 3D printed dentures had better adaptation on the PPS area whereas the milled dentures had a better peripheral seal although the conventional process showed highest retention values.