Abstract
This paper reviews the role of polymers in the construction of replacements for lost and damaged teeth. It starts by linking ancient and modern materials and comes right up-to-date by describing the use of the light-activated composite filling materials used by dentists in the 1990s. The discovery and history of the vulcanite denture base [rubber made hard by cross-linking with sulphur] is described, and details are given of the production of a denture in this material. The properties sought in a denture base are considered and related to both materials from the past and those of today. The construction of a modern polymeric denture is explained, from the taking of an impression to the curing of the poly(methyl methacrylate). The setting of impression materials based on polymers is considered in detail. The lost wax moulding process for forming a denture base from an acrylic dough is clarified and the history of attempts to use moulded thermoplastic polymers as denture bases is assessed.
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