Cost analysis of fabricating implant prostheses

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Prosthodontics
• Dental Practice Management

Background:

• Implant prostheses are crucial for tooth replacement.
• Understanding fabrication time and costs is vital for dental practices.
• Factors influencing prosthesis design require analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the time and costs associated with fabricating implant prostheses in private practice.
• To identify factors influencing the design choices between fixed and removable implant prostheses.
• To compare the economic viability of different implant prosthesis designs.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study design.
• Analysis of fabrication time and clinical fees for various implant prostheses.
• Evaluation of factors influencing prosthesis design, including esthetics and cost.

Main Results:

• Single-tooth fixed implants required the least fabrication time and had the lowest clinical fees.
• Removable bar/clip prostheses incurred the highest fees and demanded the most fabrication time.
• Esthetics was the primary factor influencing fixed vs. removable prosthesis decisions; cost was infrequently cited.
• Single-tooth fixed and individual attachment removable prostheses generated lower hourly income compared to multiple-unit fixed and bar/clip prostheses.
• Individual attachment designs exhibited the highest expense-to-income ratio.

Conclusions:

• Prosthesis type significantly impacts fabrication time, cost, and practice income.
• Esthetic considerations frequently outweigh cost concerns in clinical decision-making for implant prostheses.
• Optimizing implant prosthesis selection is essential for maximizing practice efficiency and profitability.