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Implants versus short‐span fixed bridges: survival, complications, patients' benefits. A systematic review on economic aspects
Author(s) -
Scheuber Sybille,
Hicklin Stefan,
Brägger Urs
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
clinical oral implants research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.407
H-Index - 161
eISSN - 1600-0501
pISSN - 0905-7161
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2012.02543.x
Subject(s) - crown (dentistry) , dentistry , implant , medicine , prosthodontics , dental implant , fixed prosthodontics , medline , systematic review , implant failure , orthodontics , surgery , political science , law
Aim To systematically evaluate the existing evidence to answer the focused question: For a patient with a single tooth to be replaced, is the implant crown, based on economic considerations, preferred to a conventional fixed partial denture? Material and methods PubMed MEDLINE , Cochrane‐Central and Embase databases were searched using an extended list of search terms related to economics, which were then combined with the terms “prosthodontics” and “dental implant.” Results The combined search for the “economic terms” and “prosthodontics” revealed 904 titles. The combination with “dental implants” revealed 2039 titles. Based on the abstracts, 73 full text publications were evaluated and data comparing outcomes with FDP s and implant crowns were retrieved from 26 publications. Initial costs for single implant crowns and FDP s on teeth were similar, but varied between tariff systems. The conditions of neighboring teeth and of the alveolar ridge defined the complexity (costs) of the treatment. Failure rates reported with single implant crowns and FDPs on teeth were similar. The long‐term financial economic comparison showed a similar outcome for single implant crowns and FDP s. Conclusion Other factors than costs and survival rates such as patient or provider reported factors may be more decisive when choosing between implant crowns and FDP s on teeth. The utility for the patient to keep healthy adjacent teeth unprepared makes the implant crown more economic.