Do traditional techniques produce better conventional complete dentures than simplified techniques?
OBJECTIVE
To compare the quality of conventional complete dentures fabricated with two different techniques. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare traditional (T) and simplified (S) methods of making complete conventional dentures on patients' ratings of satisfaction, comfort and function at 3 and 6 months following delivery. The quality of the prostheses was rated by prosthodontists at 6 months.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-two male and female edentulous individuals, aged 45-75 years, were randomly allocated into groups that received dentures made with either T or S methods. Following delivery, patients' ratings of several denture-related factors were measured using 100mm visual analogue scales, and denture quality was assessed by blinded prosthodontists using ratings on a validated quantitative scale.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the two groups in patient ratings for overall satisfaction (3 months: mean T = 83 mm, mean S = 83 mm, P = 0.97; 6 months: mean T = 79 mm, mean S = 79 mm, P = 0.96) or in prosthodontists' ratings of denture quality (T = 66, S = 63; P = 0.38).


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that the quality of complete dentures does not suffer when manufacturing techniques are simplified to save time and materials. Dental educators should consider these findings when re-designing prosthodontic training programs.
Kawai
Yasuhiko
Y
Department of Gnatho-Oral Prosthetic Rehabilitation, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Chiba, Japan. ykawai@mascat.nihon-u.ac.jp
Murakami
Hiroshi
H
Shariati
Batoul
B
Klemetti
Esa
E
Blomfield
John V
JV
Billette
Lucie
L
Lund
James P
JP
Feine
Jocelyne S
JS
D000368:Aged; D003725:Dental Articulators; D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D003761:Dental Impression Technique; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D003779:Denture Design / Q000379:methods*; D003781:Denture Retention; D003824:Denture, Complete / Q000592:standards*; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003760:Dental Impression Materials