Evaluation of vertical accuracy of interocclusal recording materials

Objective: To evaluate 4 interocclusal recording materials for their ability to reproduce accurately interocclusal relationships after a storage time of 1 or 48 hours. Method and Materials: A custom-made metal apparatus was used to simulate the maxilla and mandible. The vertical discrepancies were measured by a precision dial gauge. Eight interocclusal records were made in each of the following groups: (G1) Futar D (polyvinyl siloxane; Kettenbach), (G2) Ramitec (polyether; 3M ESPE), (G3) LuxaBite (composite resin based on bisacryl; DMG), (G4) Aluwax (aluminum wax; Aluwax Dental Products), (G5) LuxaBite corrected with LuxaBite, and (G6) LuxaBite corrected with Aluwax. The vertical discrepancies were measured after storage of the records for 1 and 48 hours at room temperature and repositioning of the records in the metal apparatus. Data were statistically analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance followed by the Games-Howell test (P = .05). Results: After storage times of 1 and 48 hours, respectively, the mean vertical discrepancies (µm) for G1 (23/33) and G2 (25/30) were statistically significantly lower than for G3 (431/745) and G4 (110/151) (P .05) but higher than for G5 (8/16) and G6 (7/17). There was no statistically significant difference between G1 and G2 or between G5 and G6 for either measurement. Conclusion: These vertical discrepancies increased after a storage time of 48 hours. However, correction of the LuxaBite records with LuxaBite or Aluwax showed significantly lower vertical discrepancies than all other materials. Clinically, the vertical discrepancies the corrected records caused could be insignificant. Keywords: aluminum wax, composite resin based on bisacryl, corrected record, dental material, interocclusal record, polyether, polyvinyl siloxane