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Abstract

Aim of the study was to compare the frequency of patient’s satisfaction using the swallowing neutral zone and phonetic neutral zone recording techniques. It was a prospective randomized experimental study. It was done in the Department of Prosthodontics, de, Montmorency College of Dentistry/Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore over a period of 9 months from May 4, 2020, to January 30, 2021.
The sample size consisted of 100 cases. It was calculated using the EPI calculator with 95% confidence level, d=0.01with mean 7.04, and standard deviation 0.87.
One hundred subjects were selected and divided randomly into two groups. Patients in group 1 were given dentures made of phonetic neutral zone technique and in group 2 dentures were provided with swallowing neutral zone technique. The patient’s satisfaction level was assessed by asking 5 major questions regarding comfort in wearing of the dentures, dislodgement of dentures (stability), ability to chew (mastication), speech and comfort of the tongue at 15 days recall, and the questionnaire was marked in ‘yes’ and ‘no’ in a Proforma. Answer in yes was given a score of 1 and answer in “no” was given a score of 0. A score of 3 out of 5 was marked as satisfied and less than score 3 was marked as least satisfied.
Patients with the swallowing neutral zone technique in group 2 were more satisfied and comfortable with their dentures. The results of this study can be used to increase patient acceptance and comfort with complete dentures. This can also be used as a guideline for the arrangement of teeth.