Do traditional techniques produce better conventional complete dentures than simplified techniques?

Obectives: 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. Materials and methods: One hundred twenty-two mate 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 100 mm 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). Conclusion: 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. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.