Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and implant therapy: A prospective multicenter study of preoperative, intermediate, and posttreatment assessment

Abstract

The purpose of this multicenter continuation study was to use high patient numbers in order to generate reliable statements regarding the association between different implant indications and OHRQoL.Patients with various types of indication for dental implants, ranging from single tooth loss to edentulous jaws, were included. Quality of life relating to dental implants was assessed through the oral health impact profile (OHIP-G-21), which has a summary score from 0 to 20 in healthy patients.In total, 16 253 patients from 29 centers (European Centers for Dental Implantology (ECDI)) were involved in the study between 2009 and 2021.8251 patients (50.7%) completed the questionnaire after implant insertion, and 4996 patients (30.7%) after prosthodontic treatment. The average age was 54 years (range 18–88 years). Posterior single-tooth gap (28.5%) and free-end gap (27.8%) were the most frequent indications. The preoperative OHIP-G-21 score for all patients was 32.81 (SD 11.92), while the score during the healing period was 30.00 (SD 10.72), and after completion of treatment 27.24 (SD 9.26) (p < 0.001). The most significant improvements in OHIP-G-21 scores were in the indication of edentulous jaw (phase 1, 41.81 (SD 15.53); phase 2, 35.39 (SD 14.22); phase 3, 29.60 (SD 10.12) (p < 0.001). The study revealed significant improvements in the most frequently reported problems (chewing, serious concerns, appearance) (p < 0.001).Insertion of dental implants and prosthodontic rehabilitation led to an improved OHRQoL for patients with all indications for dental implants. Special attention should be paid to patients with edentulous jaw, since in comparison with other indications it had the greatest impact on improving OHRQoL. The psychological dissatisfaction scale of the OHIP-G-21 represented the most important factors for patients, and these scores were substantially influenced by implant therapy. Thus, treating physicians should increase their focus on these factors, in order to avoid dissatisfaction and increase the likelihood of complete implant therapy success.