Aesthetics in implant-supported single crowns: a clinical trial.
aesthetic, quality of life, satisfaction, dental implants.
Introduction: The quality of implant-supported rehabilitation in addition to the principles of osseointegration, demands a wider assessment, both from the aesthetic point of view and its impact on the patient's satisfaction and quality of life. Objective: To evaluate objectively and subjectively the aesthetic function, quality of life, and patient's satisfaction wearing metal-free crowns on single implants installed in the smile region using prefabricated titanium (GT) or customized zirconia (GZ) prosthetic abutments. Materials and methods: A nonrandomized controlled clinical trial was performed out with the sample arrangement in a sequenced manner; the first half had a prefabricated titanium abutment (GT) and the second half a zirconia abutment (GZ). All patients received a temporary restoration before the final crown. Aesthetic assessments were performed using the Pink Esthetic Score (PES) and White Esthetic Score (WES), satisfaction was assessed by a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and quality of life by the Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). Results: Twenty-four patients were included, the mean age was 40.03 years. 26 implants were installed, 14 in GT and 12 in GZ, the anterior region had 18 placed implants and the posterior region had 08 implants. The OIDP was positively influenced by the provisional crown in both groups, remaining the same for the final crowns on GZ and increasing on GT after installing the final crowns. On the OHIP-14 all dimensions improved after the provisional crown and further improved with the final crowns. For the satisfaction, an improvement was noticed by the provisional crown, in both groups, and the final crowns bring another increase in satisfaction. Conclusion: The placement of metal-free crowns on single implants can play an important role in the improvement of the patient's satisfaction and quality of life.