Patient Reported Outcomes on Different Occlusal Schemes in Complete Denture Wearers

To compare patient-reported outcomes among balanced, lingualized, and monoplane occlusal schemes in relation to edentulous jaw classifications.

This randomized controlled trial was conducted in edentulous patients receiving new complete dentures using balanced, lingualized, or monoplane occlusal schemes. Demographic variables, bone ridge quantity, number of adjustments required after denture insertion, and satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) indices (ie, the Denture Satisfaction Questionnaire [DSQ] and General Oral Health Assessment Index [GOHAI], respectively) were assessed at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 52 weeks. Within-group comparisons at different time points were carried out with Brunner-Langer nonparametric analysis. Furthermore, Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare distributions of ordinal or continuous variables among the three occlusal scheme groups.

A total of 60 subjects (mean age: 68.1 ± 11.1 years; 56.7% men and 43.3% women) were analyzed. All three groups presented significant improvements in DSQ and GOHAI scores between denture insertion and the 1-year follow-up appointment (P < .001). There were no statistical differences in the distribution of demographic variables (eg, age, gender, years edentulous, and age of existing dentures) or of bone ridge classifications among the three groups. Similarly, there were no statistical differences in ridge classifications or in the DSQ and GOHAI values among the three groups for both the maxilla and mandible (P > .05) over the 52-week follow-up. On the other hand, the number of cases requiring denture adjustments was significantly lower in the lingualized scheme group, as compared to the two other groups (P = .034).

Within the limitations of this study, the present findings suggest that the occlusal scheme for posterior teeth did not influence patient-reported subjective outcomes. However, the lingualized occlusal scheme required significantly fewer adjustments.