Tim Joda1, Marco Ferrari2, Urs Bragger1. 1. Section for Digital Reconstructive Technology + Implant Dentistry [DiRecT + ID], Department of Reconstructive Dentistry and Gerodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. 2. Department of Prosthodontics and Dental Materials, School of Dental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective clinical cohort study was to validate implant crowns with a novel Functional Implant Prosthodontic Score (FIPS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients were restored with cement-retained crowns on soft tissue level implants (Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) in posterior sites and annually followed-up for 3 years. FIPS was applied for the objective outcome assessment including clinical and radiographic examinations. Five variables were defined for evaluation, resulting in a maximum score of 10 per implant restoration. The patients' level of satisfaction was recorded and correlated with FIPS. RESULTS: All implants and connected crowns revealed survival rates of 100% without any biological or technical complications after three years of loading. The mean total FIPS score was 7.8 ± 1.5, ranging from 6 to 10. The variable "bone" revealed the highest scores (2 ± 0; range: 2-2), followed by "occlusion" (1.9 ± 0.1; range: 1-2). Mean scores for "design" (1.2 ± 0.6; range: 0-2), "mucosa" (1.3 ± 0.7; range: 0-2), and "interproximal" (1.4 ± 0.4; range: 1-2) were more challenging to satisfy. The patients expressed a high level of functional satisfaction (84.1 ± 9.5; range: 68-100). A significant correlation was found between FIPS and the subjective patients' perception with a coefficient of 0.88 (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the clinical trial indicated the potential of FIPS as an objective and reliable instrument in assessing implant success. FIPS can be considered as a supportive tool to validate a satisfactory outcome as perceived by patients, to identify possible failure risks, and to compare follow-up observations.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective clinical cohort study was to validate implant crowns with a novel Functional Implant Prosthodontic Score (FIPS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients were restored with cement-retained crowns on soft tissue level implants (Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) in posterior sites and annually followed-up for 3 years. FIPS was applied for the objective outcome assessment including clinical and radiographic examinations. Five variables were defined for evaluation, resulting in a maximum score of 10 per implant restoration. The patients' level of satisfaction was recorded and correlated with FIPS. RESULTS: All implants and connected crowns revealed survival rates of 100% without any biological or technical complications after three years of loading. The mean total FIPS score was 7.8 ± 1.5, ranging from 6 to 10. The variable "bone" revealed the highest scores (2 ± 0; range: 2-2), followed by "occlusion" (1.9 ± 0.1; range: 1-2). Mean scores for "design" (1.2 ± 0.6; range: 0-2), "mucosa" (1.3 ± 0.7; range: 0-2), and "interproximal" (1.4 ± 0.4; range: 1-2) were more challenging to satisfy. The patients expressed a high level of functional satisfaction (84.1 ± 9.5; range: 68-100). A significant correlation was found between FIPS and the subjective patients' perception with a coefficient of 0.88 (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the clinical trial indicated the potential of FIPS as an objective and reliable instrument in assessing implant success. FIPS can be considered as a supportive tool to validate a satisfactory outcome as perceived by patients, to identify possible failure risks, and to compare follow-up observations.