Quality of life assessment of implant-retained overdentures and fixed metal-acrylic resin prostheses in patients with marginal mandibulectomy.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Several factors affect the prosthetic outcome of patients with mandibular defects. However, it is questionable whether fixed or removable implant-supported prostheses meet the expectations and satisfaction of the patients. The perspectives of these patients are important in managing the prosthetic treatment strategies.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the satisfaction and oral health-related quality of life of patients with marginal mandibulectomies with implant-retained overdentures and fixed metal-acrylic resin prostheses.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two participants with marginal mandibulectomies were included in the study. They completed an oral health impact profile questionnaire designed for patients with edentulism (OHIP-Edent) for the assessment of quality of life and visual analog scales (VASs) to validate their general satisfaction before treatment. Ten participants received 4 implant-retained fixed metal-acrylic resin prostheses, whereas 12 participants were treated with 2 implant-supported overdentures. Six months after delivery of their prostheses, the participants completed the OHIP-Edent questionnaire and VAS again. For the statistical analyses, Student t tests together with descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency) were used in the 2 intergroup parameter comparisons that showed normal distribution. The Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for intergroup comparisons, and the Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for intragroup comparisons.

RESULTS: Compared with pretreatment mean values, a statistically significant (P<.05) decrease in mean scores of all OHIP-Edent values and an increase in VAS scores were found in both groups. After patients were treated, their OHIP-Edent values in the group with an overdenture prosthesis were higher than those in the group with a fixed metal-acrylic resin prosthesis (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that implant-retained overdentures and fixed metal-acrylic resin prostheses provide better function and, thus, oral health-related quality of life for patients with marginal mandibulectomies.