Patient-Reported Outcome Measures of Edentulous Patients Restored with Implant-Supported Removable and Fixed Prostheses

Consensus Statement 1: There are currently no guidelines on what PROMs are most appropriate for in implant dentistry hence not commonly used in clinical implant research

PROMs are not commonly used in clinical implant research. There are currently no guidelines on what PROMs are most appropriate for implant dentistry. This statement was based on 13 investigations, including one RCT, seven prospective and five retrospective studies.

Consensus Statement 2: The timing of PROMs assessment is inconsistent and often limited to one time point

The timing of PROMs assessment in the literature is inconsistent and often limited to one time point. This statement was based on 13 investigations, including one RCT, seven prospective and five retrospective studies.

Consensus Statement 3: Reporting of patients’ characteristics and sampling techniques in PROMs research is inadequate

Reporting of patients’ characteristics and sampling techniques in PROMs research is inadequate, which could limit the ability to draw conclusions in implant dentistry. This statement was based on 13 investigations, including one RCT, seven prospective and five retrospective studies.

Consensus Statement 4: There are no differences in PROMs between Implant-supported Overdentures (IOD) and Implant-supported Fixed Complete Dentures (IFCD)

There are no differences in PROMs between Implant-supported Overdentures (IOD) and Implant-supported Fixed Complete Dentures (IFCD), except for perceived maintenance of oral hygiene, which is rated higher with IODs. This statement was based on 13 investigations, including one RCT, seven prospective and five retrospective studies. The oral hygiene superiority of IOD is based on five investigations, including one RCT, three prospective and one retrospective studies.

Should PROMs supplement clinical implant patient care?

Patient perceptions of psychosocial state, functional limitation, pain and discomfort, and expectations should be assessed before implant treatment. Clinicians are advised to use PROMs when assessing clinical outcomes. Based on Consensus Statement 1.

Should the assessment of PROMs be conducted prospectively?

Before implant treatment , a baseline assessment of patient perception of oral health-related quality of life and satisfaction should be recorded. After treatment completion, the assessment of PROMs should be conducted prospectively at appropriate intervals, case dependent. Based on Consensus Statement 2.

Based on PROMs, should clinicians rehabilitate fully edentulous patients with Implantsupported Overdentures (IOD) or Implant-supported Fixed Complete Dentures (IFCD)?

The decision of whether to rehabilitate a patient with fixed or removable implant prostheses cannot be based solely on PROMs. Such decisions should be guided by the specific anatomy, clinical parameters, as well as the patient’s needs and wishes. In cases in which either treatment is feasible, proper assessment of patients’ expectations and desires before treatment is critical prior to deciding between fixed or removable prosthesis. Based on Consensus Statement 4.

Do patients perceive differences in their ability to maintain oral hygiene with IFCDs and IODs?

Patients report that it is easier for them to maintain oral hygiene with an implant overdenture (IOD) than with an implant fixed conventional denture (IFCD); therefore, the IOD may be preferable for certain patients. Based on Consensus Statement 4.