OBJECTIVETo analysis the relationship between esthetic characters and satisfaction degree of patients.

METHODSNinety patients requiring single anterior tooth restoration were treated in clinic with all-ceramic crowns. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the satisfaction degree of patients after treatment. Clinical assessments were made by a prosthodontist in characters of feature, surface texture, hue, color distribution, incisal transparency, and individual characterization of all-ceramic crowns. Color-difference between the crowns and corresponding natural teeth was tested by Vita Easyshade electrical colorimetric instrument. The relationship between the last two items and patients' satisfaction degree was analyzed.

RESULTSThere were significance differences in the different degree among all the six esthetic characters (P < 0.05), except good and moderate degrees in the character of hue (P = 0.553). And color distribution, individual characterization, and surface texture of the crowns showed high correlations with the satisfaction degree of patients (r = 0.485, 0.472, 0.467). Total color-differences, absolute value of hue-differences, and Deltaa between restorations and corresponding natural teeth were related to the satisfaction degree of patients, and Spearman correlation coefficient was -0.434, -0.371, and -0.406 (P < 0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSAll the esthetic characters assessed in clinic were related to the satisfaction degrees of patients, especially color distribution, individual characterization and surface texture. Total color-differences and hue-differences were correlated with the satisfaction degrees of patients as well.