In dental materials, what is referred to as the powder in denture resin?

The term that refers to the powder in denture resin is polymer. In the context of dental materials, polymer refers to the large molecules that are created through polymerization, which is a chemical process where small units known as monomers are chemically bonded to form a network.

In dental resins, the polymer is often present as a solid powder that, when mixed with liquid monomers, creates a resin material that can be shaped and cured to form durable dental prosthetics, such as dentures. The polymer plays a crucial role in defining the physical properties of the final product, including its strength, flexibility, and resistance to wear.

Other options pertain to different aspects of the resin formulation. An initiator is a substance that starts the polymerization process, while an inhibitor is added to prevent premature polymerization. The monomer, on the other hand, is the smaller unit that combines to form the polymer. Hence, understanding the role of polymers in denture resin helps clarify their importance in dental materials.