Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of three-dimensional virtual dental patients on the aesthetic restoration of anterior teeth. Methods Thirty patients requiring porcelain veneers or all-ceramic crowns on anterior teeth were selected and divided into three groups:Group 1 established three-dimensional virtual dental patients for restoration design; Group 2 combined with two-dimensional facial photographs for design; Group 3 was designed based on CAD/CAM morphological database without personalized information of patients. Three clinicians were invited to rate postoperative aesthetic outcome on a dental aesthetic evaluation scale. Satisfaction with the aesthetic outcome of restoration was evaluated by patients with visual analogue scales (VAS) in all groups. Results The digital model of three-dimensional virtual dental patient was established successfully. A dental aesthetic evaluation scale incorporating aesthetic elements of the face was developed. The total score of three groups were (82.53±2.70), (80.30±1.77), (72.90±3.39) points; score of Group 3 was significantly lower than that of Group 1 and Group 2 (P＜0.05). The facial outcome score of three groups were (27.97±1.39), (24.43±2.21), (22.33±2.25) points; score of Group 1 was significantly higher than that of Group 2 and Group 3 (P＜0.05). The VAS score of three groups were (8.70±0.71), (7.30±0.67), (6.60±0.84) points; score of Group 1 was higher than that of Group 2 and Group 3 (P＜0.05). Conclusion The establishment of three-dimensional virtual dental patients improves the predictability of aesthetic restoration in anterior teeth and reduces the risk of aesthetic restorations in the anterior zone. The harmony, balance and aesthetics of restoration are improved, which has clinical application value.

Key words: three-dimensional virtual dental patient, digital design, aesthetic evaluation, aesthetic restoration of anterior teeth