Subjective patient perception of posterior implant crowns processed in a complete digital or combined analog-digital workflow revealed comparable levels of satisfaction.

Joda T, Ferrari M, Bragger U, Zitzmann NU. Clin Oral Implants Res 2018; 29: 954–961.

This randomised controlled trial aimed to analyse Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) of implant crowns processed in a complete digital workflow or a combined analog-digital workflow with a 3-year follow-up. Twenty participants were selected for single-tooth replacement with screw-retained crowns in posterior sites (Straumann TL Implant System). Ten patients were treated with test or control workflows and evaluated after 1 week of prosthetic delivery (baseline) and at 3 years. The subjective opinion of the patient was assessed using visual analog scales for PROMs and the Functional Implant Prosthodontic Score (FIPS) for the objective evaluation of the dentist. In both groups, implant crowns showed 100% survival without technical and/or biological complications. Mean PROMs showed no difference between the groups, or between baseline and after 3 years for intra-patient comparison. Linear regression analysis exhibited a significant correlation between FIPS and PROMs related to overall treatment satisfaction.