AICRG, Part IV: Patient Satisfaction Reported for Ankylos Implant Prostheses
Problem: Although many maxillary dentures exhibit sufficient retention and stability for patients to adapt well to them, mandibular dentures present a major challenge. The introduction of the endosseous dental implant provided the opportunity for the patient to have esthetic replacements (implant prostheses) that were retentive and stable for all missing natural teeth. Method: This paper reports on the satisfaction of over 470 patients with implant prostheses fabricated using a new and innovative implant design (Ankylos, Dentsply-Friadent, Mannheim, Germany). Results: A total of 1500 Ankylos implants were placed, restored, and followed for 3 to 5 years. Patients were asked to respond to a series of questions related to their satisfaction with their new replacements for missing natural teeth. A total of 95.6% of the patients rated chewing ability with Ankylos prosthesis as excellent to good; 92.2% indicated a significant improvement in their ability to chew; 92.6% reported overall clinical function much better than conventional dentures; 99.1% indicated that speech had improved or was not changed; 96.3% indicated hot and cold foods tasted better; 98.8% indicated no pain or discomfort during clinical function; 99.4% liked their new implant prosthesis; 98.0% would seek implant-prostheses treatment again, if necessary; 99.1% would recommend implant prostheses to friends and relatives; and 98.8% indicated the advantages of Ankylos prostheses far exceeded any disadvantages that may exist. Conclusions: Patients indicated that they (1) were highly satisfied with the final results of the replacements for their natural teeth that were retained or supported by this new implant design, (2) would not hesitate to recommend this form of treatment to their friends and relatives, and (3) would not hesitate to seek the same treatment again if necessary in the future.Abstract
(A) Comparison of current chewing ability with the Ankylos prosthesis. In general there was a vast improvement in chewing ability with the new implant prosthesis. (B) Comparison of any improvement in chewing ability with the new Ankylos prosthesis. In general the data suggested that the patients experienced an overall improvement in chewing. UPPE indicates maxillary posterior partially edentulous cases; UCE, maxillary completely edentulous cases; LPPE, mandibular posterior partially edentulous cases; LCE, mandibular completely edentulous cases; Overall, all types of implant prosthesis cases
(A) Comparison of overall clinical function with the new Ankylos prosthesis compared with other replacements for missing teeth. In general, the new implant prostheses were found to provide a noticeable improvement in clinical function over all other dentures. (B) Comparison of improvement in speech with the new Ankylos prosthesis. Almost 100% of the patients felt that their new implant prostheses significantly improved their speech. UPPE indicates maxillary posterior partially edentulous cases; UCE, maxillary completely edentulous cases; LPPE, mandibular posterior partially edentulous cases; LCE, mandibular completely edentulous cases; Overall, all implant prostheses or types of prosthodontic applications
(A) Comparison of sensations when eating hot or cold foods after receiving the new Ankylos prosthesis. (B) Comparison of “comfort level” during chewing with the new Ankylos prosthesis. UPPE indicates maxillary posterior partially edentulous cases; UCE, maxillary completely edentulous cases; LPPE, mandibular posterior partially edentulous cases; LCE, mandibular completely edentulous cases; Overall, all implant prostheses or types of prosthodontic applications
(A) Overall satisfaction with the new Ankylos prosthesis. (B) Would you seek an Ankylos prosthesis treatment again, if necessary? UPPE indicates maxillary posterior partially edentulous cases; UCE, maxillary completely edentulous cases; LPPE, mandibular posterior partially edentulous cases; LCE, mandibular completely edentulous cases; Overall, all implant prostheses or types of prosthodontic applications
(A) Would you recommend an Ankylos prosthesis to your friends and relatives? (B) Were the advantages of the Ankylos prosthesis greater than any disadvantages? UPPE indicates maxillary posterior partially edentulous cases; UCE, maxillary completely edentulous cases; LPPE, mandibular posterior partially edentulous cases; LCE, mandibular completely edentulous cases; Overall, all implant prostheses or types of prosthodontic applications
Contributor Notes
Harold F. Morris, DDS, MS, is codirector of the Dental Clinical Research Center (DCRC) and project codirector of the Ankylos Implant Clinical Research Group (AICRG), Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Ann Arbor, Mich. Correspondence should be addressed to Dr Morris at the DCRC (154), VA Medical Center, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
Shigeru Ochi, PhD, is codirector of the DCRC and project codirector of the AICRG, VAMC, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Arthur Rodriguez, DDS, MS, is staff prosthodontist at the VAMC, Pittsburgh, Penn, and at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, Penn.
Paul M. Lambert, DDS, is chief of the Dental Service, VAMC, Dayton, Ohio; assistant professor, Department of Community Dentistry, Ohio State University, College of Dentistry, Columbus, Ohio; and associated clinical professor, Department of Surgery, Wright State University, School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio.