Application of three-dimensional digital simulated design and implementation in esthetic rehabilitation

Abstract

Objective: To explore and evaluate a three-dimensional (3D) digital simulated design and implementation technique in esthetic rehabilitation. Methods: Thirty patients with esthetic deficiency, who came to the Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from December 2017 to July 2019, were recruited and randomly assigned into 2 groups. Four males and 11 females which were (36.0±10.5) years old in the experimental group, 6 males and 9 females which were (32.0±6.7) years old in the control group, were enrolled. In the experimental group, 3D digital simulated design was used to predict the post-treatment effect; and the final restorations were designed duplicating from the pre-treatment digital design confirmed by the patient and milled. In the control group, the final restorations were manufactured by the dental technician according to the design of two-dimensional (2D) digital smile design. The simulation degree of digital design and the similarity between preoperative design and postoperative rehabilitation were scored by the patients with visual analogue scales (VAS) in both groups; and the satisfaction rate to the restorations was evaluated by the patients. The quality of the restorations was accessed by a prosthodontist who did not know the grouping of patients according to the modified criteria of United States Public Health Service (USPHS). Results: Three-dimensional digital simulated design and implementation technique was successfully established. The VAS score on the simulation degree of digital design in the experimental group (8.5±0.5) was higher than that in the control group (7.2±0.7) (P<0.01); the VAS score on the similarity between preoperative design and postoperative rehabilitation in the experimental group (9.6±0.3) was higher than that in the control group (7.0±0.9) (P<0.01). The satisfaction rate of the patients to the restorations was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference of the quality of the restorations between the two groups on the anatomic form, the marginal adaption and the surface quality (P>0.05). Conclusions: Three-dimensional digital simulated design and implementation technique can help achieving 3D digital simulated design before treatment and duplication to the final restorations, and can improve the patients' satisfaction in esthetic rehabilitation.