PATIENTS OPINION AND TREATMENT OUTCOME OF FIXED REHABILITATION ON BRANEMARK IMPLANTS - A 3-YEAR FOLLOW-UP-STUDY IN PRIVATE DENTAL PRACTICES

In this study, patient opinion on oral rehabilitation by means of Bran emark implants was investigated. All patients were referred to a perio dontal clinic for implant installation and treated by one and the same operator. Prosthetic restorations were performed by dentists, who had no previous experience with prostheses on implants, but had completed a postgraduate training course. Patient opinion was obtained through questionnaires, pertaining to satisfaction and oral function. A compar ison was made between pre-implant situation, short-term (< 4 months) a nd long-term functioning (3 years) with the implant-restorative rehabi litation. In total, 61 patients participated in the study; 23 received a full lower arch bridge and 18 a full upper arch bridge, while 20 pa tients got partial bridges. Of 298 installed implants, 7 failed at abu tment connection (2.3%) and 1 during the 3-year follow-up interval (0. 3%). The study results indicated that a great majority of patients wer e very satisfied with the treatment. Comfort with eating, aesthetics, phonetics and overall satisfaction improved significantly and nearly a ll patients said that they would undergo the treatment again or recomm end it to others. Patients experienced their implants as ''natural'' t eeth. The conclusion is that rehabilitation ad modum Branemark, even i n the hands of non-specialized dentists, can be of high quality, impro ving oral function and satisfying the needs and demands of patients.