Comparison of anxiety and satisfaction levels in patients undergoing digital versus conventional dental impressions

Abstract Dental impressions are a routine component of prosthodontic care, yet the patient experience may vary depending on the technique used. This study compared dental anxiety and satisfaction among patients undergoing digital versus conventional impressions in a postgraduate clinical setting at the Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo. A total of 85 adult patients were included: 44 received conventional impressions and 41 received digital impressions. Dental anxiety was assessed using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) before the procedure, and satisfaction was evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) immediately after the procedure. Anxiety scores did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.232). However, patients in the digital group reported significantly greater satisfaction than those in the conventional group (p < 0.001). These findings suggest an association between the use of digital impression techniques and higher levels of patient satisfaction, while no significant association was observed between impression technique and dental anxiety.