Purpose: This study aimed to compare different treatment modalities to correct ill-fitted maxillary complete denture either by the conventional relining method or by scanning the relining impression and digitally construct a new denture regarding patient satisfaction, denture retention, and adaptation.
Materials and methods: Twelve edentulous patients suffering from loose maxillary complete dentures were selected, dentures' borders and fitting surfaces were prepared, and relining impressions were taken, the impressions were scanned and the STL files were used for CAD/CAM milling ( computer aided designing/ computer aided manufacturing) of new maxillary dentures (Group A), then the relining impression went through the conventional laboratory steps to fabricate (Group B) maxillary dentures. Both groups were evaluated regarding patient satisfaction by a specially designed questionnaire, retention values were measured by a digital force gauge at denture insertion appointment and two weeks later, geomagic software was used to evaluate dentures adaptation to oral tissues.
Results: Both groups (A and B) were completely satisfied with their dentures except regarding esthetics, all group A and 50% of group B were satisfied. Both groups showed a statistically significant increase in retention values at the two-week follow-up period compared to those at denture insertion time, with higher values were for group B. Finally, the relined dentures showed better oral tissue adaptation than digitally constructed dentures.
Conclusion: Relined maxillary dentures showed better retention, esthetics, and denture adaptation with lower cost than digitally constructed maxillary dentures which showed acceptable retention and adaptation, with better time and data saving.
Trial registration: Clinical trials number: NCT06366321. With registration date on ClinicalTrials.gov public website: 13/ 4/ 2024.
Keywords: CAD/CAM milling; Denture adaptation; Digital denture; Relining; Retention.
© 2025. The Author(s).