The impact of implant treatment on oral health related quality of life in a private dental practice: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Very few studies on the impact of implant therapy on Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in partially edentulous patients have been published. AIM This study aimed at analysing the improvement of OHRQoL of patients who underwent dental implant treatment using the "functional", "psychosocial" and "pain and discomfort" categories of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). METHODS Within a prospective cohort of patients rehabilitated with Straumann dental implants, the OHRQoL of 176 patients (104 women and 72 men) was assessed using the GOHAI questionnaire, at two different times, before and after implant placement. The degree of oral treatment was categorised into three classes: "Single Tooth Implant" (n = 77), "Fixed Partial Denture" (n = 75), "Fixed or Retained Full Prostheses" (n = 24). The participants' characteristics (gender, age, tobacco habits, periodontal treatment, time between both evaluations) were assessed. RESULTS Before treatment, the GOHAI score was lower for participants with fewer teeth (F = 19, P < 0.001). After treatment, no difference was observed between participants; significant improvements were observed in the GOHAI scores obtained (repeated measures, analysis, (F = 177, P < 0.001)) for each of the GOHAI fields studied (functional, psychosocial and pain & discomfort), regardless of the degree of treatment. The best improvement was observed in patients who needed complete treatment (P < 0.001). The presence of preliminary periodontal treatment, tobacco habits, age and gender of the participants did not have a significant impact on OHRQoL. Changing the time between the two evaluations (before and after treatment) had no impact on the changes in the GOHAI score. CONCLUSIONS Implants enhanced the OHRQoL of participants that needed oral treatment.