Extra-oral assessment of conventional and CAD-CAM complete denture appearance by dental professionals and CRDP wearers: A randomized survey

Introduction Complete removable dental prostheses' (CRDPs) appearance may vary between conventional and contemporary CAD-CAM manufacturing techniques. Objectives The aim of this randomized survey was to analyze appreciation of CRDPs, manufactured with different techniques, by dental professionals and elder CRDP wearers. Methods Four participant groups, comprised of undergraduate students (n=10), postgraduate residents (n=10), dental technicians (n=10) and elder CRDP wearers (n=10), evaluated the appearance of maxillary CRDPs manufactured by six different techniques: three conventional methods 1. flask-pack-press (FP), 2. Injection-molded (IM), 3. intrinsically colored natural gingiva finish before injection-molded (NG) and three CAD-CAM methods 4. milled base with bonded prefabricated teeth (M), 5. fully milled including milled teeth (FM) and 6. rapid-prototyped including printed teeth (P). A randomized, blinded survey included 18 pairwise comparative assessments and 12 individual judgements of the CRDPs on general appearance as well as pink and white aspects. Statistical analyses included parametric- and nonparametric tests as well as linear regression models; the level of statistical significance was set at p<.05. Results NG was preferred by the professional groups but not by the elder CRDP wearers (p<.05). P was scored lowest by all four participant groups (p<.05). CRDP wearers’ ratings were less severe and within a narrower range. The ratings of the two CAD-CAM milled CRDPs (M and FM) were ranked closer to FP and IM); the order of preference was different depending on the participant groups. Conclusions The findings of this study revealed marked differences in the assessment of CRDP appearances between dental professionals and older CRDP wearers. Clinical significance A shared and informed approach to decision making concerning the CRDP appearance might foster denture acceptance and treatment success