Patient satisfaction and quality of single-tooth restorations

This retrospective study focuses on patient opinion and professionally assessed quality of single-tooth restorations of Brånemark fixtures. Patients were treated by periodontists for fixture installation and/or abutment connection and by referring general practitioners for prosthetic rehabilitation. Seventy-eight consecutively treated patients were sent a questionnaire regarding aesthetics, phonetics and overall satisfaction. Forty-eight patients (52 fixtures) returned the questionnaire. Forty were able to attend a clinical examination by an independent examiner. The quality of 43 single implant crowns was evaluated according to the modified guidelines for assessment of quality and professional performance used for evaluation of design, fit, occlusion/articulation and aesthetics. Bone to implant level was assessed radiographically. Patients were very positive about aesthetics, phonetics, eating comfort and overall satisfaction. Nevertheless, 6/40 patients would not undergo the same treatment again, yet all of them would recommend it to others. The professionally rated quality of the crowns was perfect in 17 and acceptable in 25 cases. One crown needed modification to prevent future complications. Two crowns had already been replaced as a result of porcelain fracture; one restoration showed abrasion and one was damaged. With a mean loading time of 33 months (range: 3-89 months), none of the patients returning the questionnaire had encountered fixture loss. All except five fixtures showed bone remodelling at or above the first implant thread. It is concluded that single Brånemark fixtures installed by periodontists and restored by general practitioners are of an acceptable clinical quality to satisfy the patient.