title: Markov models in dentistry: application to resin-bonded bridges and review of the literature.
abstract: Markov models are mathematical models that can be used to describe disease progression and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of medical interventions. Markov models allow projecting clinical and economic outcomes into the future and are therefore frequently used to estimate long-term outcomes of medical interventions. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate its use in dentistry, using the example of resin-bonded bridges to replace missing teeth, and to review the literature. We used literature data and a four-state Markov model to project long-term outcomes of resin-bonded bridges over a time horizon of 60 years. In addition, the literature was searched in PubMed Medline for research articles on the application of Markov models in dentistry.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Reconstructive Dentistry and Temporomandibular Disorders, Dental School, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mahl
authors.forename: Carlo P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Marinello
authors.forename: Pedram
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sendi
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D016379:Denture, Partial, Fixed, Resin-Bonded / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008390:Markov Chains; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors