The results suggested that an anatomical variant of the stylohyoid ligament complex was more frequently found in the elderly female population, although this abnormality was present in both sexes. There was a greater tendency for the abnormality to be present in patients between 60 and 79 years of age.

This study evaluated water sorption in heat-polymerized acrylic resins processed in monomaxillary flasks by water bath and in bimaxillary flasks by microwave energy and water bath. Fifty heat-polymerized acrylic resin specimens were fabricated according to the 12th specification of the American Dental Association and assigned to 3 groups: group 1 was processed by water bath in monomaxillary metallic flask; group 2 was processed by microwave energy in bimaxillary PVC flask; and group 3 was processed by water bath in bimaxillary metallic flask. Specimens were submitted to water sorption test, means were calculated and analyzed statistically by Student's t-test. Means (in g/cm 3 ) were: group 1 -0.024085, group 2 -0.025312 and group 3 -0.022098. Microwave energy processing and the amount of stone and resin used in the bimaxillary PVC flask did not influence water sorption; specimens processed in bimaxillary metallic flask by water bath presented lower water sorption means, suggesting an inadequate polymerization of the acrylic resin mass.

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Ao Walter pela alegria que colocou em minha vida e pelo carinho, amizade, compreensão e amor dedicado a mim mesmo estando tão longe. Dedico este trabalho v Agradecimentos EspeciaisAgradeço primeiramente a minha orientadora Profa. Dra. Célia Marisa Rizzatti Barbosa, por ter sido, nos 5 anos que passamos juntas, muito mais do que uma pessoa a qual me transformou na profissional que hoje sou, mas principalmente pela sua amizade, seu companheirismo e amor! Agradeço de forma especial também, ao Prof. Dr. Sérgio Roberto Peres Line que me acolheu de forma muito amável em seu departamento, esclarecendo minhas duvidas e me fazendo fascinar pela área de Biologia Molecular.

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