How do implant patients experience complications? A cross-sectional multicentre pilot study

This cross-sectional study aimed to quantify the impact of implant-related complications on perceived pain, functional impairment, concern, quality of life (QoL) and confidence which were the study's primary outcomes.

Patients were recruited in five centres over 19 months. They completed a structured ad hoc questionnaire scoring pain, chewing ability, concern, QoL and confidence in future implant treatment. Some potential independent variables were also recorded. The data were analysed descriptively and with a multiple-stepwise regression model for correlations of the five primary variables with the other data.

The sample consisted of 408 patients, with prosthesis mobility being the most common complication (40.7%). Most patients (79.2%) consulted because of a complication, while 20.8% were asymptomatic and consulted regularly. Pain was correlated with symptoms at consultation and in biological/mixed complications (p < .001; R²  = 44.8%). Chewing impairment with implant loss, prosthesis fracture and removable implant-supported or total prostheses (p < .001; R²  = 42.8%); patient concern was correlated with the clinical symptoms and removable implant-supported prostheses (p < .001; R²  = 36.1%); impact on QoL was correlated with implant loss, prosthesis fracture and removable implant-supported prostheses (p < .001; R²  = 41.1%). Patient confidence was relatively independent and only impact on quality of life significantly influenced it (r = 0.73).

Implant-related complications moderately impaired patients' perceptions of pain, chewing ability, concern and QoL. Nevertheless, complications only slightly reduced their confidence in future implant treatment.