Objective To analyze the effect of Maslow's hierarchy of needs-based nursing on dental aesthetics and occlusal force in patients undergoing porcelain-fused-to-metal crown restoration. Methods A total of 98 patients who received porcelain-fused-to-metal crown restoration in the Department of Stomatology of the 951st Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from January 2022 to July 2023 were selected as the research subjects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the control group and the observation group, with 49 patients in each group. The control group was given conventional nursing, and the observation group was given Maslow's hierarchy of needs-based nursing. The occlusal force, dental aesthetics, periodontal index and nursing satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results The occlusal force of the observation group at 3 months after restoration was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The excellent and good rate of dental aesthetics in the observation group (97.96%) was higher than that in the control group (79.59%) (P<0.05). The periodontal index of the observation group at 3 months after restoration was better than that of the control group (P<0.05). The nursing satisfaction rate of the observation group (97.96%) was higher than that in the control group (71.43%) (P<0.05). Conclusion For patients undergoing porcelain-fused-to-metal crown restoration, the application of Maslow's hierarchy of needs-based nursing can improve dental aesthetics, periodontal index and occlusal force, thereby enhancing nursing satisfaction.