Impact of prosthetic rehabilitation type on satisfaction of completely edentulous patients. A 5-year prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction of rehabilitated edentulous patients in relation to implant prosthetic type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 40 completely edentulous patients wearing conventional prostheses. They were divided into two study groups: Group A contained 20 patients rehabilitated with implant-supported fixed prostheses and Group B contained 20 patients with overdentures. Subjects were evaluated by means of a specially designed questionnaire before treatment and after 1, 3 and 5 years. RESULTS: Group A exhibited better results in terms of esthetics, function and personal satisfaction, although without statistically significant differences. However, statistically significant differences were found within parameters of oral hygiene after 1 year in favor of Group B. CONCLUSIONS: Overall satisfaction was seen to increase after implant rehabilitation, regardless of the type of prosthesis used. The satisfaction of edentulous patients differs depending on prosthetic type. Patients rehabilitated with fixed prostheses obtain a generally higher level of satisfaction than patients wearing overdentures.