title: Patient-related outcome measures with implant therapy after 5 years.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze patients' perception of implant therapy in partial edentulism, after 5 years with implant-supported reconstructions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who received dental implants at the National Dental Centre, Singapore 3-9 years earlier (mean: 5.2 years) were invited to participate in the study. Responders were examined clinically, and asked to answer a questionnaire with 13 statements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 880 patients, 206 patients, with 329 implants, agreed to participate. Of the implants, 82% supported single crowns, while 18% were reconstructed with splinted crowns or fixed dental prostheses. Function and chewing comfort yielded high patient satisfaction. Comparing chewing comfort for teeth and implants, respectively, 51% perceived no difference between the two. Patients were largely satisfied with the phonetic function and esthetic outcome. Only two in three patients were able to cleanse the implant reconstruction well, and majority of the patients reported no difference comparing the time taken to clean implants and teeth. Patients were generally unsure if the tissues around their implants or teeth bled more. Pertaining to expectations, most patients were satisfied with the treatment, and majority were willing to undergo the same treatment again. Most patients would recommend such treatment to friends, if indicated. Only slightly over one-third of the patients felt certain that the cost of the treatment was justified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The large majority was satisfied with the functional outcomes of implant treatment. However, the patients had a less than ideal understanding of gingival health around teeth and implants. Patients were less discerning than clinicians in the assessment of esthetic outcomes.
authors.affiliation: National Dental Centre, Singapore City, Singapore.
authors.forename: Valerie H S
authors.initials: VHS
authors.lastname: Tey
authors.affiliation: Singapore Clinical Research Institute, Singapore City, Singapore.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: Singapore Clinical Research Institute, Singapore City, Singapore.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003442:Crowns; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000191:economics; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D017060:Patient Satisfaction
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants
keywords: Pink Esthetic Score; White Esthetic score; esthetic outcomes; implant therapy; patient satisfaction; patient-reported outcome measures