Purpose: To evaluate the effects of overnight storage conditions on the dimensional stability and retention of prostheses, as well as participants’ subjective perceptions of these interventions.
Materials and Methods: Subjects with maxillary complete prostheses (CRPs) were randomly assigned to receive two interventions in a crossover design: storage of their CRPs overnight in a dry environment or in a wet environment with a cleansing tablet. The denture intaglio surface was scanned, and outcome measures were collected before each intervention (BLN), postintervention (PIS), and after immersion in water for 15 minutes (WOC) following each intervention. Dimensional changes were analyzed for the total surface, anterior flange, palate, and tuberosities. Retention force was measured using a dynamometer, and the participants’ subjective assessments of comfort, fit, and retention of their CRPs were collected. After verifying normal distribution, paired t and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to check for statistical significance (α = .05).
Results: Ten participants (mean age: 76.5 ± 5.9 years) were recruited. Between BLN and PIS, the dimensional changes after dry intervention were significantly less than the wet intervention for the total surface (P = .009), anterior flange (P = .028), and palate (P = .005). No difference was found between the effects of storage or washout interventions on objectively measured CRP retention. However, after WOC following dry storage, participants perceived a lower retention (P = .021), and after WOC following wet storage, participants perceived a more comfortable palate (P = .018).
Conclusion: For dimensional stability, dry overnight storage of removable prostheses can be safely recommended when indicated. Immersion in water for 15 minutes does not seem to add advantages.
