title: Pitfalls in full mouth implant dentistry. Part one: Perceptions versus evidence in prosthodontic treatment planning; a limited literature review.
abstract: The alternative to accepting commercial trends in dental implant therapy is to redefine basic-needs treatment of the partially and fully edentulous patient. Unfounded yet persistent assumptions about what patients want and what implant therapies can provide cloud treatment decisions. Studies on the outcomes of different implant treatment modalities are incomplete yet cite that conventional and less complex implant treatments have good outcomes, often showing better patient acceptance than the more involved alternatives. Different from the routine dental patient, these patients requiring full mouth implant prosthodontics have unique needs requiring advocacy due to the significant quality of life issues. Patients find their situation troubling, decision making difficult, and welcome guidance. Through practicing patient advocacy, the patient experience is optimized and a mutually satisfying solution is found. The ability to successfully treat more patients with simplified yet evidence based implant treatments should not be overlooked for being cost-effective with predictable oral health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Cleft Palate Clinics, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and Children's Hospital/Minneapolis, USA. rebecca@warpeha.us
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Warpeha
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D055094:Evidence-Based Dentistry; D006801:Humans; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010347:Patient Care Planning
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants