title: A prospective clinical cohort study analyzing single-unit implant crowns after three years of loading: introduction of a novel Functional Implant Prosthodontic Score (FIPS).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this prospective clinical cohort study was to validate implant crowns with a novel Functional Implant Prosthodontic Score (FIPS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients were restored with cement-retained crowns on soft tissue level implants (Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) in posterior sites and annually followed-up for 3 years. FIPS was applied for the objective outcome assessment including clinical and radiographic examinations. Five variables were defined for evaluation, resulting in a maximum score of 10 per implant restoration. The patients' level of satisfaction was recorded and correlated with FIPS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All implants and connected crowns revealed survival rates of 100% without any biological or technical complications after three years of loading. The mean total FIPS score was 7.8 ± 1.5, ranging from 6 to 10. The variable "bone" revealed the highest scores (2 ± 0; range: 2-2), followed by "occlusion" (1.9 ± 0.1; range: 1-2). Mean scores for "design" (1.2 ± 0.6; range: 0-2), "mucosa" (1.3 ± 0.7; range: 0-2), and "interproximal" (1.4 ± 0.4; range: 1-2) were more challenging to satisfy. The patients expressed a high level of functional satisfaction (84.1 ± 9.5; range: 68-100). A significant correlation was found between FIPS and the subjective patients' perception with a coefficient of 0.88 (P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of the clinical trial indicated the potential of FIPS as an objective and reliable instrument in assessing implant success. FIPS can be considered as a supportive tool to validate a satisfactory outcome as perceived by patients, to identify possible failure risks, and to compare follow-up observations.
authors.affiliation: Section for Digital Reconstructive Technology + Implant Dentistry [DiRecT + ID], Department of Reconstructive Dentistry and Gerodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Joda
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics and Dental Materials, School of Dental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Section for Digital Reconstructive Technology + Implant Dentistry [DiRecT + ID], Department of Reconstructive Dentistry and Gerodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Urs
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bragger
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D003442:Crowns; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: cohort study; dental implants; digital workflow; fixed prosthodontics; follow-up; outcome assessment; patient satisfaction; prospective clinical trial