Comparison of fixed implant‐supported prostheses, removable implant‐supported prostheses, and complete dentures: patient satisfaction and oral health‐related quality of life

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare patient satisfaction and oral health‐related quality of life ( OHRQ oL) among fully edentulous patients treated with either fixed implant‐supported prostheses ( FP ), removable implant‐supported prostheses ( RP ), or complete dentures ( CD ). Material and Methods Eighty‐six patients – 29 FP , 27 RP , and 30 CD patients – participated in this study. The survey was conducted using face‐to‐face interviews with a questionnaire that included a patient satisfaction scale and Oral Health Impact Profile ( OHIP ‐14). We measured patient satisfaction after prosthetic treatments and OHRQ oL before and after the treatments. Results After prosthetic treatments, OHRQ oL increased in all three groups ( P < 0.05). The FP and RP groups showed no significant difference in patient satisfaction and OHRQ oL, and both groups showed greater improvement compared with the CD group. Specifically, the OHRQ oL dimensions of functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort, and psychological disability in the FP group, and functional limitation in the RP group, improved greatly in comparison with the CD group ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Although further research is still needed, prosthetic treatments may provide superior OHRQ oL for fully edentulous patients. In particular, both the FP and RP treatments provided significantly greater improvement of OHRQ oL and patient satisfaction than the CD treatment. Reliable information of OHRQ oL and patient satisfaction helps experts and patients choose the best prosthetic treatment option.