The Effect of Implant Prostheses Complications on Patient Satisfaction

Objectives: To evaluate patient satisfaction with regards to implant prostheses and compare those who have experienced self-reported implant prostheses complications to those who have not. Through this observation, we intend to determine how and if implant-related complications affect the patients\u27 self-reported quality of life.;Methods: In this retrospective study, data were gathered from 176 edentulous and partially dentate patients who have received implant prostheses including implant-supported crowns, implant supported overdentures, and hybrid prostheses from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 at West Virginia University School of Dentistry (Morgantown, WV). Demographics and complications with implant prostheses were self-reported via a survey, and patients rated their oral health-related quality of life using the QoLIP-10 questionnaire.;Results: Statistically significant differences of patient satisfaction were found among combined prostheses\u27 complications, gender, and marital status. The most common complication for implant-supported crowns was crown loosening, and the most common complication for implant supported overdentures and hybrid prostheses wearers was repair of the prosthesis. The patient satisfaction by type of prosthesis, education, and age did not demonstrate a significant difference. Those who had experienced complications with implant prostheses reported lower quality of life compared to those who have not experienced complications. Females and widowers overall reported lower quality of life in both categories. Females\u27 quality of life scores for with and without complications were not statistically different. The lowest satisfaction in patients without complications for implant-supported crown wearers was in the questionnaire category of performance, including oral hygiene difficulties. The lowest satisfaction in patients with complications for implant supported overdentures and hybrid prostheses wearers was in the questionnaire category of biopsychosocial, which includes worry/concern due to problems with the implant prosthesis.;Conclusions: The results of this survey suggest patients who have experienced complications with their implant prostheses reported a lower quality of life than those who have not. More specifically, females and widowed persons reported the lowest quality of life. Satisfaction in the survey questions regarding oral hygiene difficulty and worry/concern regarding problems with implant prostheses were lowest for implant-retained crown wearers without complications and removable/hybrid prostheses wearers with complications, respectively. Future studies are needed to evaluate patient satisfaction comparing complications with and without implants, in order to determine if patients who have had complications with implant prostheses are more satisfied than those who have experienced complications with conventional prostheses