Patient satisfaction and oral health-related quality of life outcomes of implant overdentures and fixed complete dentures.
OBJECTIVE
To assess and compare patient satisfaction and oral health-related quality of life (OHQOL) in patients treated with implant-supported overdentures and complete implant fixed prostheses.


METHODS
From a database of patients who had undergone implant treatment over a 6-year period, a study population of 62 patients was identified; every patient had at least four implants placed in one edentulous arch and was restored with either an overdenture or a fixed prosthesis. Patients were examined and a self-administered, structured multiple-response questionnaire, including the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 measurement tool and a patient satisfaction survey, was used to evaluate patient-centered treatment outcomes.


RESULTS
Generally, patient satisfaction was very high in both the implant overdenture and fixed prosthesis groups, although the subjects in the overdenture group, who had mostly maxillary prostheses, reported significantly lower overall satisfaction and lower satisfaction with chewing capacity and esthetics. In just three categories--cost, satisfaction with treating doctor, and ability to perform oral hygiene measures--the fixed prosthesis group was less satisfied than the removable overdenture group, but the difference was not significant. Similarly, the overall OHQOL was high, although patients receiving a fixed prosthesis demonstrated significantly lower psychologic discomfort and psychological disability compared to the overdenture group.


CONCLUSIONS
Among all patients who had similar numbers of implants placed, those who received an implant overdenture were less satisfied and had lower OHQOL than the patients who had a fixed prosthesis. Since patient and dentist preferences influenced the type of prosthesis provided, it is likely that subjective, patient-related factors are major determinants of satisfaction and treatment outcomes.
Brennan
Maire
M
Division of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontology, Dublin Dental School and Hospital, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
Houston
Frank
F
O'Sullivan
Michael
M
O'Connell
Brian
B
D001294:Attitude to Health; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D003824:Denture, Complete / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology; D003827:Denture, Complete, Upper / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology; D003828:Denture, Overlay / Q000191:economics; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015921:Dental Implants