Duration and length of adaptation to new complete dentures: a survey based on patients’ self-reported outcomes

Introduction: Evaluate and compare the relationship between anatomic measurements of the dental clinician in a neutral ergonomics position with the proper working dis- tance and test the hypothesis that working distance can be estimated using specific anatomical measurements of the operator. Materials and Methods: Specific measu- rements were obtained from 134 participants utilizing a neutral ergonomics position. Values were applied using the Pythagorean theorem to calculate a hypothesized working distance (HWD) from lateral epicanthus (E) to antecubital fossa (F) and ante- cubital fossa to the tip of the thumb (T). The actual working distance (ET) was measu- red from lateral epicanthus to tip of the thumb in a neutral ergonomics position in a simulated setting. Results: The results showed a significant positive correlation between (ET) and (HWD) and a positive correlation for all of the anatomic measu- rements taken in simulation: ET to height and HWD to height; (EF) and ET, EF and HWD; antecubital fossa to the thumb (FT) and ET, FT and HWD (p<0.00). There was a margi- nally significant difference when comparing vision types, corrective and non- corrective (p<0.058), with noncorrective vision having a higher actual working distance. There was a statistical difference when comparing gender and HWD with male participants ranking higher hypothesized and actual working distance. Conclusion: When applying the Pythagorean formula using anatomic landmark measurements, the HWD is repea- table for most operators and may contribute to a more standardized method to mea- sure the accurate working distance that fits the ergonomics.