Success of Complete Denture Treatment, Detailed Investigation of Construction Protocols, Occlusal Schemes and Evaluation Questionnaires

Summary Background/Aim: The successful outcome of conventional complete denture treatment can be defined with the use of both subjective and objective criteria. Denture satisfaction determinants may include denture quality, oral tissue condition, patient-dentist relationship, patient’s attitude toward dentures, patient’s personality and socioeconomic factors. Purpose: The aim of the current review was to identify and analyze the different construction protocols and occlusal schemes that contribute to the success of complete denture rehabilitation through the use of evaluation questionnaires. Material and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed through electronic databases (MEDLINE via PubMed) using the appropriate key words (complete denture construction, complete denture fabrication, complete denture occlusion and complete denture occlusal scheme). The related to the subject scientific papers were selected and evaluated for eligibility utilizing a predefined review process (English, full text articles, published from January 2000 up to April 2017). Results: None of the analyzed studies identified significant differences between dentures constructed with simplified, CAD/CAM and traditional protocols in terms of general satisfaction and Oral Health Related Quality of Life scales. The same condition applied to the studies which compared complete dentures with bilateral balanced, lingualized, monoplane and canine guided occlusion. Conclusions: Current scientific evidence suggested that patients could adapt comfortably to any type of bilateral balanced occlusal scheme and to complete dentures been fabricated with all types of complete denture construction protocol. Disease-specific questionnaires could be considered valuable tools and should be used to assess the outcome of any treatment modality.