Digital Technology in Complete Denture Prosthodontics: A Review of Literature

Abstract

Background: Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology has expanded to embrace implant, maxillofacial and removable prosthodontics including the fabrication of complete dentures. However, despite that the implementation of computer-aided technology with edentulous patients seemed to improve and simplify complete denture treatment as it significantly reduced the number of patient visits, yet still a limited number of reports described its use for complete denture fabrication Objective: This literature review will cast light on digital technology and its implementation in complete denture prosthodontics including its advantages, limitations, techniques and will present the articles that reported or investigated this topic and their outcomes including clinical or patientbased outcomes Materials and methods: An independent electronic search of the English language literature was conducted by 2 investigators (authors), in bibliographic database MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Google up to March 2017 using certain key words. The electronic search was conducted in 3 stages in a systematic order. Stage 1, involved acquiring a record of titles from the electronic databases, which was then independently analysed by each investigator to extract relevant titles based on the predetermined inclusion criteria. The investigators independently applied the exclusion criteria, and any inconsistency was resolved by discussion. In uncertainty situations, the disputed article was included in the second (abstract) stage for contemplation. Stage 2 involved screening the abstracts of all selected titles by both investigators separately. Once more, any disagreement between the investigators was discussed, and, in uncertain situations, the abstract was included in the third and last stage of full-text analysis. At stage 3, all full text articles that were included were studied by the two investigators. This was followed by applying the final exclusion criteria and reviewing the final list of articles thoroughly and in depth to extract all relevant qualitative and quantitative data.

Is the Number of Appointments for Complete Denture Fabrication Reduced with CAD-CAM? A Literature Review

“…Although the literature is still lacking long-term, randomized clinical trials that are crucial for the wide acceptance of the new technology, it has attracted the attention of many researchers worldwide [16]. Peroz S et al (2021) did not find any significant differences in the overall scores of the German version of the OHIP questionnaire, from a pool of 16 participants who were treated with new complete dentures produced either with a five-visit conventional workflow or with a two-visit digital one [45].…”

“…In recent years, digital technology has offered alternative and versatile workflows for CD production [12][13][14][15][16]. The implementation of a digital workflow for CD manufacturing is reported to be associated with advantages such as better mechanical properties of the base, improved fit with the supporting tissues, better accuracy in teeth position, reduced chair time, shortened delivery period and archiving [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26].…”