Geriatric Patients’ Preferences for Digital Versus Conventional Impressions

Abstract<o:p></o:p>

Objective:

The objective of the present study was to compare geriatric patients’ preferences for conventional

and digital impressions techniques.<o:p></o:p>

Materials

and Methods: Forty patients (20 males and 20

females) who were ≥65 years old were enrolled in the present study.

Conventional impressions of the dental arches were acquired using an alginate

impression material while digital impressions of both arches were taken using

an intraoral scanner. The questionnaires

were given to the subjects, and they assessed digital and conventional

impression methods with a 10-item Likert Scale. The obtained data were analyzed

by descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Statistical

significance was set at α = 0.05.<o:p></o:p>

Results:

Data showed patients preferred the use of

digital impressions systems instead of conventional impression techniques in

terms of smell, taste, breathing, gag reflex, TMJ discomfort, feeling

comfortable and overall evaluation (P<0.001). While, conventional impression method was more

preferable regarding time (P<0.001). <o:p></o:p>

Conclusions:

The application of digital impressions was found to be the generally more

comfortable and widely accepted method among geriatric patients in comparison

to traditional techniques.<o:p></o:p>

Keywords:

Digital impressions, alginate impression, patients’

preferences<o:p></o:p>