Re-examination of complete-denture patients: I. Deviations Between Observers

Abstract

In 68 patients who had been wearing complete dentures for about two years the following factors have been recorded: stability, adaptation to the supporting tissues, retention, occlusion, vertical dimension, appearance and consistency of the ridge, stomatitis prothetica, speech. Two observers have performed both independent and simultaneous examinations. In the case of independent examination considerable deviations between observers have been noted within each variable. In the simultaneous examination it was possible to establish the absence of any dependence on authority. Both observers found it easy to follow each other's motivations in the final, simultaneous recording when there was primary deviation. On comparing the first with the last 25 cases it was possible to establish the fact that the observers' homogenization had been inconsiderable. All deviating recordings imply under- or over-recordings in relation to the results of the simultaneous recording. Over- and under-recordings have been about equally frequent. Consequently, the estimates of both observers within the variables and within the whole material have been close to the result at the simultaneous recording.