SUCCESSFUL LONG-TERM TREATMENT OUTCOMES IN THE FIELD OF OSSEOINTEGRATED IMPLANTS - PROSTHODONTIC DETERMINANTS

Purpose: Because existing implant success criteria have not met with w idespread use, consensus is needed among professionals working in the field as to what constitutes implant success. This article discusses i mplant success within the context of prosthesis success, and argues th at successful use of implants cannot be judged without prosthesis cons ideration. Results and Discussion: A framework for evaluating clinical success of prosthodontic treatment is presented. A context for judgin g success by presenting related topics that include contrasting proces s and outcome measures, and consideration of long-term outcomes that h ave a tangible meaning to the patient (ie, are patient-based), is argu ed 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. Conclusion: The challenge is to define the best application s of dental implants within the broad context of prosthodontic options through demonstrated advantages over more conventional options. A bro ad understanding of ''success'' from multiple outcome domains is most likely to give the truest measure for implant application within the c ontext of possible prosthodontic options for all patients.