Satisfaction and patient-related outcomes in 128 patients with single implant crowns in situ for up to 14 years

Purpose: To assess patient satisfaction and patient-related outcomes across the domains of appearance, cleansibility, and costs; the perceived value and worth when single implant crowns (SICs) had been in situ up to 14 years; whether satisfaction differed between patients; and whether certain characteristics might affect the questionnaire response rate. Materials and Methods: Patients treated at a private prosthodontic practice between 2001 and 2014 (n = 207) who received a SIC (n = 256) were prospectively included. A previously validated patient satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ) exploring patient-centered outcomes was mailed to participants. Demographic (sex, age) and treatment data (number of SICs, time in situ, failure experience, complication experience) were collected. Visual analog scale (VAS) responses were converted to percentages. Differences between respondents and nonrespondents, differences in satisfaction between prosthesis placement and survey date, and differences with respect to demographic and treatment data were assessed. Averages were medians bounded by interquartile ranges. Statistical significance was set at P =.05. Results: Respondents (n = 128, 61.8%) and nonrespondents (n = 79, 38.2%) had similar demographic and treatment characteristics. Prostheses had been in situ for up to 14 years (median, 5 years; interquartile range [IQR], 24 to 96 months). Participants reported that treatment met their expectations (median, 93%; IQR, 85% to 100%); they reported high satisfaction with tooth color, tooth contour, peri-implant mucosa, appearance overall, and ease of cleaning (medians ranging from 90.5% to 95%, IQR ranging from 80% to 100%) and medium satisfaction with costs when prostheses were placed (median, 50%; IQR, 29% to 80%). Satisfaction with tooth contour, peri-implant tissues, overall appearance, and costs significantly improved over time (96%, 92.5%, 91.7%, and 75%, respectively;