Cost‐effectiveness of three different concepts for the rehabilitation of edentulous mandibles: overdentures with 1 or 2 implant attachments and hybrid prosthesis on four implants

Background There is scarce data regarding the combined assessment of the costs and effects of implant treatments for edentulous patients when multiple options are available. Aim This randomized clinical trial aimed to assess the cost‐effectiveness of three different concepts for treatment: mandibular overdenture retained by a single (Group I; n=11) or two implants (Group II; n=13), and fixed hybrid prosthesis on four implants (Group III; n=13). Methods Treatment effectiveness was measured as the 1‐year before‐after changes in patient satisfaction with the mandibular prosthesis. Costs were prospectively quantified from the perspective of the health provider, including all direct cost items attributed to the delivery of treatments and up to the 1‐year follow‐up, using a “bottom‐up” costing estimation method. Results Patient satisfaction after treatment improved significantly for the three groups. The overall costs were R$ 2,370.66, R$ 3,185.21, and R$ 5,739.52 for Groups I, II and III, respectively (p