Successful long-term treatment outcomes in the field of osseointegrated implants: prosthodontic determinants

Because existing implant success criteria have not met with widespread use, consensus is needed among professionals working in the field as to what constitutes implant success. This article discusses implant success within the context of prosthesis success, and argues that successful use of implants cannot be judged without prosthesis consideration.

A framework for evaluating clinical success of prosthodontic treatment is presented. A context for judging success by presenting related topics that include contrasting process and outcome measures, and consideration of long-term outcomes that have a tangible meaning to the patient (i.e., are patient-based), is argued for. A hierarchy of outcomes is proposed for a better understanding of the relative strengths associated with various outcomes. Emphasis is given to the concept of prosthodontic treatment being prescribed to reduce the patient-specific burden associated with the missing tooth condition.

The challenge is to define the best applications of dental implants within the broad context of prosthodontic options through demonstrated advantages over more conventional options. A broad understanding of "success" from multiple outcome domains is most likely to give the truest measure for implant application within the context of possible prosthodontic options for all patients.