title: A conceptual framework for understanding outcomes of oral implant therapy.
abstract: The use of implants has expanded so rapidly that its effectiveness for many clinical situations has not been firmly established. Dentists are responsible for making appropriate therapeutic recommendations for the management of partial and complete edentulism. These decisions require an understanding of the consequences or outcome of treatment approaches. Outcome measures to evaluate the benefits of alternative therapies include longevity as well as physiologic, psychologic, and economic impacts. Future research should include outcome measures beyond implant prosthesis survival to more fully assess the practical impact of dental implants on the patient's oral health and to determine the most cost-effective approaches for managing completely and partially edentulous patients.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Guckes
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Scurria
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Shugars
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018865:Dental Research / Q000379:methods; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008409:Mastication; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D018579:Patient Selection; D011788:Quality of Life; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants