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Functional and patient-reported outcomes of 3-dimensional-printed vs conventionally fabricated complete dentures: A
Anne Kaline Claudino Ribeiro1, Aretha Heitor Veríssimo2, Rodrigo Falcão Carvalho Porto de Freitas1
1Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
Background:
In this crossover randomized clinical trial, the authors evaluated the clinical performance of conventional and 3-dimensional-printed complete dentures, considering functional and patient-reported outcomes and postinsertion adjustments.
Methods:
Twenty-three edentulous patients received 2 sets of complete dentures (digitally fabricated complete dentures [DDs] and conventionally fabricated complete dentures [CDs]). In the CD-DD group, patients received CDs and after 3 months they received DDs. For the DD-CD group, the protocol was reversed. The DD set was fabricated using a 3-dimensional-printed technique with a lip arch device for maxillomandibular recording, and CC set using the conventional method. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a 12-item questionnaire. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was measured using the 19-item Oral Health Impact Profile in Edentulous Patients questionnaire, and masticatory performance (MP) was evaluated using the 2-colored chewing gum method. The functional adaptation was evaluated on the basis of phonetics, chewing, comfort, and swallowing criteria with the new dentures. Linear mixed models were applied to evaluate treatment and crossover effects.
Results:
Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the CD group for chewing, taste, and esthetics (P < .05). No significant differences were observed between groups in OHRQoL and MP. The CD group achieved earlier functional adaptation (P = .049) but required a greater number of mandibular adjustments (P = .039).
Conclusions:
DDs required fewer mandibular denture base adjustments but were associated with a longer adaptation time. Awareness of chewing ability, taste perception, and esthetics may further enhance patient satisfaction with DDs. Overall, DDs appear to be a feasible treatment option; however, findings related to overall satisfaction, OHRQoL, and MP remain inconclusive.
Practical Implications:
The digital workflow represents a clinically acceptable approach. However, clinicians should be aware that patient satisfaction may be lower, and functional adaptation may require a longer adaptation period. These factors should be considered when planning DDs. This clinical trial was registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials. The registration number is RBR-2c96zr3.
