Comparison of patients' views and dentists' evaluations 5 years after complete denture treatment

This study describes a comparison of patients' views of their dentures and dentists' technical evaluations 5 yr after complete denture treatment. Of the original sample (n = 139) a test group of 92 patients remained available for the actual study 5 yr after treatment. Firstly, the patients filled in a questionnaire regarding their complaints of and (dis)satisfaction with dentures. Secondly, they were examined independently by two experienced dentists in order to evaluate their dentures. Finally, after considering the answers to the questions in the questionnaire and their own dentures' evaluation the dentists proposed a therapy. It was found that patients and dentists agree on assessments of denture retention, but do not agree on assessment of denture aesthetical aspects. Furthermore, it appeared that generally more therapy was rendered by the dentists than could be expected on the basis of their evaluations and the patients' views.