Utility versus futility of facebow in the fabrication of complete dentures: A systematic review

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this review was to investigate utility or futility of facebow for fabrication of complete denture prosthesis to maximise clinical efficiency and acceptability of complete dentures. Settings and Design: Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. Materials and Methods: A study question was designed based on PICOT model which was used to evaluate whether facebow transfer is required or not for fabrication of complete denture prosthesis. An extensive search was carried out manually and using electronic databases such as PubMed-Medline, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov. Parameters under review included patient satisfaction, masticatory efficiency, occlusal adjustments, clinician time, stability and retention. Boolean operators, MeSH terms and limiters were applied to develop the search and reach to conclusive studies pertaining to study design. Literature dated between 1950 and 2019 were selected. The data extraction and assessment of the studies was done by two independent investigators. Statistical Analysis Used: No meta-analysis was conducted due to heterogeneity of data obtained. Results: 13690 studies were shortlisted, 13672 were excluded based on title and abstract. By the end of search phase, 07 RCTs were considered relevant. 04 studies concluded comparable/ no differences in outcome with and without use of facebow for fabrication of complete denture prostheses, whereas 03 studies concluded better results without the use of facebow. Conclusion: The use of facebow results in fabrication of complete denture prostheses with similar results in terms of clinical efficiency and patient acceptability as compared to simplified techniques using anatomical landmarks. Variations in assessment criteria, non uniform distribution of sample size amongst different clinical trials and subjective questionnaire based criteria are the weaker links in the review. Extensive research and long term standardised studies with objective criteria for assessment are required for comprehensive and conclusive results to establish the need for change in clinical practice.

Statistical Investigation of the Standard Height of Occlusal Rim Blocks among Patients Attending Makerere University Dental Hospital, Kampala, Uganda

“…Provision of Removable Complete Dentures (RCDs) is one way of restoring oral function. The fabrication of an RCD entails several steps which include diagnosis, treatment planning, impression taking and border molding, casting dental models and occlusal rim blocks, bite registration, selection and setting up of artificial teeth, denture processing, and insertion [5]. The main goal of fabricating RCD is to attain harmonious occlusion that is compatible with the stomatognathic system intended to bring back the patient's mastication, phonetics, esthetics, and improved social esteem [6].…”

Digital Protocol to Record Occlusal Analysis in Prosthodontics: A Pilot Study

“…They concluded that while initial eccentric tooth contacts on the articulator were reliable, occlusal adjustments might be necessary post delivery. Prakash et al [ 27 ] conducted a systematic review assessing the utility of the facebow in complete denture fabrication. The review compared facebow use against simplified techniques using anatomical landmarks and found similar clinical efficiency and patient acceptability results.…”

Evaluation of the Suitability of The Established Standard Height of Occlusal Rim Blocks Among the Dental Clinicians in Makerere University Dental Hospital In Uganda

“…The sample size was determined based on data saturation. The initially targeted number of interviews to be conducted was seven (7) participants, and the final number of interviewed respondents up to data saturation was fifteen (15) participants. A strategy of purposive sampling of key informants was used to collect data in consideration of areas of their expertise.…”

“…The fabrication of an RCD entails several steps which include diagnosis, treatment planning, impression taking and border molding, dental model casts, occlusal rim blocks fabrication, bite registration, selection and set up of artificial teeth, wax denture try-in, denture processing and insertion, and patient's follow-up [7]. Occlusal Rim Block (ORB), which is employed in the third stage of denture fabrication consists of a rigid, accurate, and stable denture base and a rim made of a base plate wax.…”