Accuracy and time efficiency of conventional and digital outlining of extensions of denture foundation on preliminary casts.

Purpose: The purpose of this diagnostic study was to assess the accuracy and time efficiency of a digital method to draw the denture foundation extension outline on preliminary casts compared with the conventional technique.

Materials and methods: A total of 28 preliminary edentulous casts with no anatomical landmarks were digitized using a laboratory scanner. The outlining of the entire basal seat of the denture was performed on preliminary casts and digitized. Casts with no extension outline were digitized and outlines were drawn using software (DWOS, Straumann). The accuracy of the extension outlined between both techniques was evaluated in the software (GOM Inspect; GOM GmbH) by file superimposition. Specificity and sensitivity tests were applied to measure accuracy. The paired t-test (95% CI) was used to compare the mean total area and the working time.

Results: The accuracy ranged from 0.57 to 0.92. The buccal and labial frenulum showed a lower value in the maxilla (0.57); while the area between the retromolar pad and buccal frenulum (0.64) showed a lower score in the mandible. The maxillary denture foundation and the working time for both arches were significantly longer for the digital method (P < .001).

Conclusion: The denture foundation extension outline exhibited a sufficiently excellent accuracy for the digital method, except for the maxillary anterior region. However, the digital method required a longer working time.