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Preferences for Digital Versus Conventional Prosthodontic Procedures After Standardized Pre-treatment Information: A
Aim:
This study assessed preferences regarding digital versus conventional prosthodontic procedures among adults in Germany after exposure to standardized pre-treatment information and to explore factors associated with these choices. By focusing on preferences formed after information provision, it addresses a gap in research on pre-treatment perceptions.
Materials And Methods:
An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults in Germany without a professional dental background (n = 188). After viewing standardized informational materials outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, participants selected between digital and conventional options for different dental procedures, including AI-supported diagnostics and impression techniques. Sociodemographic data were collected, and descriptive and exploratory subgroup analyses examined associations between participant characteristics and preference patterns.
Results:
After exposure to standardized information, most respondents in this convenience sample chose digitally supported procedures over conventional alternatives, including AIassisted diagnostics, facial scans, digitally guided implant placement, digital impressions, and 3D radiographic planning. Exploratory analyses indicated that participants with higher education and higher income more frequently preferred digitally supported options. Across all analyzed sociodemographic groups, digital approaches were selected more often than conventional ones.
Conclusion:
In this convenience sample, respondents showed a clear preference for digitally supported procedures after receiving standardized pre-treatment information. However, these findings must be interpreted in light of potential framing effects of the survey materials and the limited representativeness of the sample. Socioeconomic disparities may also influence acceptance and access. Future studies should examine additional determinants of these preferences and evaluate how pre-treatment communication shapes decision-making in more diverse populations.
