Abstract
Objective
To determine patient satisfaction with esthetics, phonetics, and function following implant‐supported fixed restorative treatment in the esthetic zone by measuring the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL).
Materials and methods
This systematic review follows the “Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta‐analysis protocols” (PRISMA‐P) 2015 statement. Studies were searched in the databases Ovid, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. The quality of the studies included in the review was scored using the GRADE system. The impact of the findings was analyzed by calculating effect size and standardization of results across different OHRQoL measurements was achieved by calculating the percentage equivalent.
Results
A total of 13 studies were selected to be included in his systematic review after application of the inclusion criteria. A total of six studies recorded pre‐ and post‐treatment OHRQoL results, while the remaining seven studies provided only post‐treatment results.
Conclusions
This review concluded that implant‐supported fixed restorations in the esthetic zone have an overall positive impact on OHRQoL. However, patient satisfaction from this treatment reduced as the number of missing teeth replaced by implants was increased.
Clinical significance
When implant‐supported fixed restorations are being planned in the esthetic zone, dentists need to consider the patient's perception and the subsequent impact of these restorations on the patient's quality of life. Clinicians can be assured that patient OHRQoL will increase; however, clinicians should also keep in mind the importance of the gingival frame. Furthermore, they should be aware of the challenges when planning cases with larger numbers of implants in the esthetic zone as this could lead to a lowering of a patient QoL.