Abstract
Objective To review implant therapy studies which have included patient-based assessments as indicators of treatment outcomes.
Data Sources For the years 1980–1998, MEDLINE, Index Medicus and the bibliographies of identified papers were screened.
Study Selection Studies not involving patient-based assessment of treatment outcomes were excluded
Data extraction Each identified paper was classified by study design; subject type and outcome measure and qualitative synthesis carried out.
Results 22 papers were identified describing 19 studies, 2 were cross-sectional, 7 were retrospective, and 4 used a one-group prospective design. Two used a two-group prospective design, and 1 a within-subject crossover trial. Only 3 were randomised-controlled trials. There was relatively little consistency across studies in what was measured and how it was measured.
Conclusions Further research is needed to quantify the contribution of implants to the health and well being of patients unable to tolerate conventional dentures. This research should utilise randomised controlled study designs. Outcome measures need to be more carefully selected to reflect patients' concerns.
Locker D. Patient-based assessment of the outcomes of implant therapy: a review of the literature. Int J Prosth. 1998; 11: 453–461.
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Address for reprints: Dr David Locker, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, 124 Edward Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Jagger, R. Better designed research needed to quantify the contribution of implants to the health and well being of patients. Evid Based Dent 1, 8 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6490032
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6490032