Abstract
In the field of removable partial denture (RPD) therapy, safeguarding oral structures is crucial for ensuring long-term clinical success. This study delves into the application of dental surveyors in various dental laboratories throughout Casablanca, Morocco, and presents a comprehensive analysis of their usage and the challenges faced by dental technicians.
Introduction
The balancing act of restoring masticatory function and aesthetics while preserving remaining oral tissues is fundamental in RPD therapy. Although the restoration of edentulous spaces may seem straightforward, the achievement of enduring therapeutic success hinges on a meticulously designed framework informed by a thorough preprosthetic assessment. The correct path of insertion and removal is paramount, as it prevents the generation of harmful lateral or torquing forces on the abutment teeth during the placement and removal of the prosthesis. This necessitates the systematic application of a dental surveyor at two pivotal stages: first, chairside, to assist in the intraoral preparation of guiding planes and rest seats on the abutment teeth; and second, in the laboratory, during the design and casting of the metal framework, ensuring the accurate placement of retentive clasps, reciprocal arms, and minor connectors in alignment with the established path of insertion. The dental surveyor plays an essential role by identifying the parallelism of supporting surfaces and detecting undercut areas. The failure to utilize this tool compromises the accuracy of the intended path of insertion, leading to improper seating of the prosthesis, which may necessitate uncontrolled adjustments to the RPD guiding planes for a passive fit. This oversight can have significant biological consequences, including uneven distribution of masticatory forces, osteolysis, soft tissue lesions, or even mobility of abutment teeth. Despite the prevalence of conventional, nondigital techniques, the systematic use of dental surveyors is often overlooked by laboratory technicians. This underutilization is well documented in the international literature, with surveys from the United Kingdom and Sudan highlighting notable deficiencies in communication and adherence to strict surveying protocols during RPD fabrication. However, there is currently no published data regarding these practices in Morocco. Understanding these practices is critical to assessing the extent of underutilization, protecting the clinical success of RPDs, and guiding future professional training. Thus, this study aimed to investigate adherence to surveying protocols during RPD design in dental laboratories in Casablanca.
Materials & Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was executed among dental technicians working in the private sector in Casablanca, Morocco, spanning a three-month period from October 23, 2023, to January 28, 2024. The target population was identified through random sampling from a publicly available business directory, due to the lack of a centralized registry of practicing dental technicians. Out of 170 contacted technicians, 105 completed the survey, yielding a 61.8% response rate. Participants were required to be private-sector technicians engaged in the fabrication of RPDs. Exclusion criteria included permanently closed laboratories and those whose practice settings were exclusively within hospital or university environments. A structured 20-item questionnaire was developed for this study, ensuring content validity through a thorough literature review and expert validation. Piloting the questionnaire with a small group of dental technicians allowed for necessary adjustments to enhance clarity. Data collection employed multiple modalities—telephone interviews, physical copies, and digital formats—to optimize response rates. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 16.0, focusing on descriptive statistics to summarize the evaluated variables.
The study revealed that a significant proportion of the surveyed dental technicians were male (71.4%) and predominantly aged between 30 and 40 years (44.8%). Most respondents exhibited considerable experience, with 81% having over ten years in practice, yet only 43.8% were actively engaged in continuing education. Notably, while 71.2% of laboratories possessed a surveyor, its routine application was alarmingly low at just 30.5%, with nearly 39% never utilizing the tool. Furthermore, the results indicated a critical communication gap between clinicians and dental laboratories, as 81.9% of the technicians independently designed the RPD frameworks, despite only 8.6% of prescribing clinicians owning a surveyor.
These findings underscore a stark contrast between the ownership of dental surveyors and their practical application within the clinical setting, suggesting a pressing need for enhanced communication between dental practitioners and laboratory technicians, as well as improved continuing education initiatives to foster the effective use of surveying protocols. The results emphasize the necessity for a coordinated approach to elevate the standards of prosthetic rehabilitation in Casablanca.
As reported by cureus.com.
