The degree of satisfaction of wearers of fixed prosthetic dentures

Abstract

Assessment of patient satisfaction with fixed prosthetic treatment should be a consideration of overall prosthetic success. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction with prosthetic treatment with ceramic fixed prosthetic dentures (FPD) on metal framework. Material and method: We selected and surveyed a group of 40 patients aged between 20 and 57 years who required fixed prosthetic treatment. Patients had a choice between 3 types of materials: metal-ceramic (MC), zirconia (Zr) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Patients were informed about the advantages and disadvantages of each FPD and were asked to choose and justify the choice made. Results showed that the patients who chose PMMA argued this choice for purely financial reasons. Patients who chose Zr for aesthetic reasons argued that it was worth the financial effort. Most patients chose metal-ceramic restorations, reasoning that they present an optimal aesthetic/functionality/cost ratio. Conclusion: Metal-ceramic FPD is still the most commonly used restoration to replace missing teeth, especially in the lateral areas.