Effect of Clinicians’ Experience on Chair Time and the Number of Denture Adjustment Visits Required for Complete Denture Treatment

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how a clinician’s experience might affect the complete denture treatment.
Methods: A randomized controlled parallel clinical trial at two hospitals was conducted from April 2004 to July 2006. Written informed consent was obtained from the study subjects. Permuted-block randomization was performed with a block size of 4, indicating that not only was the clinician’s experience randomized) but also the denture base materials used (conventional acrylic resin and resilient liner). The chair time required for each step of complete denture treatment was compared between the junior clinician and senior clinician groups. The clinical protocol was carried out as follows: the preliminary impression, final impression, maxillomandibular registration, trial placement, denture delivery, and the number of visits for denture adjustments. Seventy-four subjects were assigned to this trial.
Results: Significant differences were observed between the junior clinician and senior clinician groups with regard to chair time required for final impressions and the number of visits required for denture adjustments. There were no differences in chair time required for the other treatment steps.
Conclusion: This randomized controlled clinical trial revealed that a clinician’s experience has an obvious influence on the chair time required for a final impression and the number of visits for denture adjustment.