How do implant patients experience complications? A cross-sectional multicentre pilot study

Background: This cross-sectional study aimed to quantify the impact of implant-related complications on perceived pain, functional impairment, concern, quality of life (QoL) and confidence which were the study's primary outcomes.Materials and Methods: Patients were recruited in five centres over 19 months. They completed a structured ad hoc questionnaire scoring pain, chewing ability, concern, QoL and confidence in future implant treatment. Some potential independent variables were also recorded. The data were analysed descriptively and with a multiple-stepwise regression model for correlations of the five primary variables with the other data.Results: The sample consisted of 408 patients, with prosthesis mobility being the most common complication (40.7%). Most patients (79.2%) consulted because of a complication, while 20.8% were asymptomatic and consulted regularly. Pain was correlated with symptoms at consultation and in biological/mixed complications (p < .001; R-2 = 44.8%). Chewing impairment with implant loss, prosthesis fracture and removable implant-supported or total prostheses (p < .001; R-2 = 42.8%); patient concern was correlated with the clinical symptoms and removable implant-supported prostheses (p < .001; R-2 = 36.1%); impact on QoL was correlated with implant loss, prosthesis fracture and removable implant-supported prostheses (p < .001; R-2 = 41.1%). Patient confidence was relatively independent and only impact on quality of life significantly influenced it (r = 0.73).Conclusions; Implant-related complications moderately impaired patients' perceptions of pain, chewing ability, concern and QoL. Nevertheless, complications only slightly reduced their confidence in future implant treatment.