Mechanical and handling properties of light-cured acrylic resin custom tray material

Abstract

Both light-cured (LC) and chemically-cured (CC) acrylic resin custom tray materials are used at the Oral Health Centre, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape. At present, the CC acrylic is the standard for formal undergraduate teaching and training. The LC material is not part of routine didactic teaching as little evidence-based scientific information is available with regards to its properties and its usage in the clinical environment. Negative effects have caused researchers to focus on alternatives and to research for other materials with more advantageous properties. The objectives of this study was to determine the linear dimensional shrinkage and fracture toughness of light-cured acrylic custom tray materials and compare it to the chemically-cured type. Also to evaluate the acceptance of light-cured acrylic resin custom trays by undergraduate students.