Clinical outcomes and costs of conventional and digital complete dentures in a university clinic: A retrospective study

Abstract

Statement of problem: Scientific data analyzing the clinical outcomes and costs of complete dentures fabricated by using conventional and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) processes are lacking.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the treatment duration, financial costs, and postdelivery adjustments of CAD-CAM and conventional removable complete dentures.

Material and methods: Thirty-two edentulous participants (16 women, 16 men; age 35-85 years) who had received either CAD-CAM (n=16) or conventional (n=16) maxillary and mandibular removable complete dentures provided by prosthodontists with a minimum of 2 years of experience were evaluated. The CAD-CAM denture systems were either DDS-AV (AvaDent Digital Dental Solutions) (n=11) or DD-IV (Wieland Digital Denture) (n=5). The total treatment period (days) was recorded at 3 different time points (T0: preliminary alginate impression; T1: denture delivery; T2: last scheduled postdelivery adjustment). Adjustments during the follow-up (after T2) were noted and included the removal of areas of excessive pressure, relining, or repairs. The costs of the dental treatment and the laboratory fees were calculated. The Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used for statistical analysis (α=.05).

Results: No statistically significant difference regarding the treatment duration between digitally and conventionally fabricated removable complete dentures was found: T0-T1 (P=.889); T1-T2 (P=.675); T2- T3 (P=.978). No significant difference was found in the number adjustments for areas of excessive pressure, relines, or repairs (P=.757, P=1.000, P=1.000) during the period. Laboratory costs of CAD-CAM removable complete dentures were significantly lower than those of conventional removable complete dentures (P<.001), but clinical fees were similar between groups (P=.596), resulting in a reduction in the overall total costs for the CAD-CAM removable complete dentures (P=.011). Regarding the number of clinical visits, neither the group (conventional/CAD-CAM (P=.945)/DDS-AV/DD-IV [P=.848]) nor the interaction group (conventional/CAD-CAM and DDS-AV/DD-IV)/period (P=.084/P=.171) showed any significant differences.

Conclusions: CAD-CAM removable complete dentures can be considered a viable alternative to conventional removable complete dentures regarding treatment duration, clinical and follow-up visits, adjustments, and maintenance requirements.