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AbstractStatement of problem Edentulism results in loss of lip support and altered facial morphology. Complete dentures aim to restore function and facial esthetics; however, the magnitude and predictability of associated linear, angular, and 3-dimensional (3D) soft-tissue changes have not been comprehensively quantified using facial scanning. Purpose The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the linear, angular, and 3D facial soft-tissue changes associated with maxillary complete denture rehabilitation. Material and methods Forty-two edentulous participants wearing maxillary complete dentures for at least 1 year underwent six 3D facial scans: with and without the denture and in 3 facial positions (rest, lips closed, and smiling). Linear and angular measurements were derived from 12 soft-tissue landmarks, and 3D surface changes were quantified using superimposition-based deviation analysis. Random intercept regression models and median regression were used to assess the effects of denture condition, facial position, age, and sex (α=.05). Results Wearing the complete denture significantly increased upper lip projection (β=.89 mm; 95% CI, 0.43–1.34; PPPConclusions Complete denture rehabilitation produced consistent and systematic changes in perioral soft tissue support, particularly affecting upper lip position and the nasolabial angle. High-resolution 3D facial scanning was effective for quantifying these prosthetic effects and may enhance esthetic assessment and treatment planning in edentulous patients.
Azevedo et al. (Mon,) studied this question.