A Study to Evaluate and Compare the Dimensional Stability of Aluwax upon Moist Heat and Dry Heat Treatment at Different Time Intervals

Introduction: The key to a successful prosthesis is the accurate transfer of the maxillo–mandibular relationship to an articulator.Evaluating and comparing the dimensional stability of Aluwax upon moist heat and dry heat treatment at different time intervals. In vitro study. Materials and methods: A total of 26 samples were included and were divided into two groups based on the heat treatment of Aluwax. Thirteen Aluwax bite wafers were manipulated using moist heat treatment and 13 with dry heat treatment. Dimensional changes were recorded using stereomicroscope at intervals of 0, 24, and 48 hours. The level of significance was fixed at 5%, and P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was employed to test the normality of data. Kruskal Wallis test, post hoc analysis, and independent sample t test were performed for the quantitative variables. Results: The dimensional changes upon moist heat treatment at 0, 24, and 48 hours were 0.043 ± 0.011, 0.036 ± 0.009, and 0.0320 ± 0.008, respectively and upon dry heat treatment were 0.027 ± 0.010, 0.023 ± 0.009, and 0.0165 ± 0.009, respectively. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, dry heat treatment of Aluwax showed less dimensional changes as compared to moist heat treatment. Maximum change was noted immediately following moist heat manipulation; storage up to 48 hours did not induce any further increase in distortion.