Microwave pressure chamber processing of a denture repair polymer.

Most denture base repairs are made using a chemically activated acrylic resin polymer for reasons of cost and expediency. Heat-activated polymers are not typically used because they require a custom split cast gypsum mold, longer polymerization time, and higher laboratory fees. Repairs made using a chemically activated polymer compared with a heat-activated polymer generally have reduced transverse strength, poorer color stability, increased water sorption, and weak bond strength to existing acrylic resin. A method of utilizing a microwave polymer in a commercially available microwave flask is described. This technique allows denture base repairs to be made with a heat-activated polymer in a manner similar to that of chemically activated repairs.