A New Material for Temporary Removable Dental Prostheses. Preliminary Results

In a prospective randomized controlled cross-over study the clinical benefits of a polycarbonate/polyurethane-based LAMItec®-prosthesis (“LAMItec®-Verfahren nach Prof. Hinz”) were compared to a conventional clasp-retained temporary resin prosthesis.

Methods:

15 patients, where tooth extraction was indicated, a total of 20 jaws, were treated with temporary prostheses. Jaws were separated randomised into control group (clasp-retained-prosthesis, CG) and intervention group (LAMItec®, IG). Immediately after tooth extraction both prostheses were incorporated and changed daily during the first week. In second and third week either of them was in use. Analysis of clinical parameters (fitting, aesthetics, retention and rupture using the Californian Dental Association criteria) and oral-health-related quality of life (Oral-Health-Impact-Profile-G14; OHIP) were raised. Follow-ups were implemented one, two and three weeks post-extraction.

Results:

The cumulative value for fitting was in both groups 50 (romeo or sierra) and 10 (tango or victor). Retention was 42 and 18 in the CG, 54 and 6 in the IG. Aesthetic criteria resulted in 53 and 7 for CG, 59 and 1 for IG.  Both groups had no rupture of prostheses. OHIP showed a mean of 11.7, in the first week of daily change a mean of 17 in KG and of 14.3 in IG.  At the end of second week the OHIP of CG was evaluated at 17 and in IG at 11.4.  Patients decided after a use of 3 weeks in a dichotomous decision 14 times for LAMItec® and 6 times for conventional.

Conclusions:

LAMItec®-prostheses are equal to conventional clasp-retained-temporary-resin-prostheses (fitting, aesthetics), with small advantages for retention. Patient’s opinion gave LAMItec® a clear advantage, both in OHIP and in dichotomous evaluation. A successful use of LAMItec® in clinical use post-extraction can be affirmed.