| Summary: | Since their introduction, the use of endosseous implant for replacements of missing teeth has increased dramatically. To date, however, there is no evidence-based answer to the important clinical question: What implant-supported prosthesis designs provide the best outcomes? Cochrane systematic reviews have been used to critically assess scientific literature, to answer a wide array of questions. This approach was used to focus on implant-related treatment outcomes, including patient-based outcomes. Data showed that in most cases clinical and patient-mediated outcomes did not differ significantly from one another regardless of the prosthesis used. However, long-term prognosis of implant-supported overdentures using magnet attachments may produce inferior outcomes when compared to other attachments.
In this dissertation it was shown that long-term results following immediate loading of endosseous implants with overdentures were successful based on biological and clinical parameters, cost to patient, and patient-based outcomes. Moreover, it was noted that well-designed clinical trials evaluating efficacy of immediate loading with fixed prostheses are uncommon. Furthermore, a parallel randomized controlled clinical trial focusing on this issue was carried out. In this trial, the author investigated the effects of immediate and delayed loading of implants with mandibular fixed prostheses. The implant-related outcomes underscore that even when implants are loaded during the healing period (i.e. immediate loading), successful osseointegration can be achieved and maintained. Patients’ satisfaction and oral health-related quality of life indicated that the two loading schemes addressed patient’s need equally.
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