Aesthetic Perception of Patients and Dentists on Conventional and Characterized Complete Dentures

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare the perception of patients and dentists regarding the esthetics achieved with conventional and characterized complete dentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty completely edentulous participants were selected and given both conventional and characterized complete dentures. Participants including patients wearing the dentures and dentists subsequently evaluated both types of dentures by giving scores using 0–10 cm Visual Analog Scale on denture esthetics. The esthetic scores were statistically analyzed using paired t-test (P = 0.05 as significant). RESULTS: Patients' satisfaction with conventional and characterized complete dentures were statistically similar except for the fact that patients were more satisfied with ideal arrangement of teeth in conventional denture (standard deviation [SD]-7.0 ± 2,0) compared to the characterized (SD-4.8 ± 2.7) arrangement of the teeth (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Aesthetic satisfaction with complete dentures was influenced by the patients' socioeconomic status. Patients could not see any significant difference between conventional and characterized complete denture.