Effect of the quality of removable prostheses on patient satisfaction

The objective of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction with removable prostheses and its relationship with denture quality.

Sixty-seven patients who received 119 new removable prostheses over a period of one year at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, were recalled for an interview with regard to their satisfaction with their dentures and a clinical examination. Prosthetic quality was determined using the California Dental Association criteria.

Results showed 75% and 66% of upper and lower dentures, respectively, were reported by patients as satisfactory. Of all the upper prostheses rated as being of acceptable quality, 94% were also reported by patients as satisfactory, but of those of unacceptable quality, only 52% were reported by patients as unsatisfactory. The corresponding figures for lower dentures were 91% and 71%, respectively. No significant associations were found between patient satisfaction and age, or denture experience.

Although acceptable quality of removable prostheses usually resulted in patient satisfaction, the finding that some patients were satisfied with their prostheses despite unacceptable quality suggests other factors besides quality affect outcomes.

Patient satisfaction with removable dentures cannot be fully predicted from only the quality standards of those dentures.