This research is being done to evaluate the clinical, technical, biological, and aesthetic results of two different fabrication methods (additive and subtractive) for creating implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (iFDPs). Patients will receive an iFDP, meaning an implant-supported crown, according to regular treatment protocols. The fabrication method used to create the implant-supported crown will be decided in a randomised way. Clinical and radiological examinations will be performed prior to and when receiving the implant-supported crown and during a follow-up period of 3 years. Furthermore, technician- and patient-reported outcomes will be evaluated used questionnaires.
This study is designed as a randomised controlled clinical trial with a multi-centre design. Patients in need of a definitive posterior implant-supported crown will be enrolled in this study following predefined eligibility criteria at two different study centres (Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard University and Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich). Patients will receive a single implant-supported crown fabricated according to group allocation (additively or subtractively manufactured). After crown delivery, patients will be followed-up for an observation period of 3 years. The primary outcome is the clinical performance of the implant crowns. Clinical, technical, biological, and aesthetic results as well as the technician- and patient-reported outcomes will be assessed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
50
additively manufactured implant-supported prostheses
subtractively manufactured implant-supported prostheses
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich
Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
Clinical success
The primary outcome is clinical success of the iFDPs, which is defined as the iFDPs being free of all complications over the entire observation period.
Time frame: This outcome will be evaluated at the baseline and at the follow-up visits after 1 year, 2 years and 3 years
Efficiency during manufacturing (dental technician) (time)
Fabrication time for the iFDP will be measured in minutes. The time needed for the manufacturing (subtractively or additively), the post-processing and the cementation on to the titanium base will be measured using a stopwatch.
Time frame: Periprocedural
Efficiency during manufacturing
The laboratory workflow during manufacturing will be assessed by the dental technicians using a questionnaire on success of the fabrication and postprocessing steps, and complications such as faulty/damaged iFDP. Dental technicians will report complications by answering yes/no to the occurrence of any complications, specifying occurred complications and reporting their quantity.
Time frame: Periprocedural
Chairside adjustment time
The total mean time for chairside adjustment (min) at iFDP delivery. A stopwatch will be used to measure the minutes between removing the healing abutment of the implant and final insertion of the prostheses after finishing any potential adjustments (for example approximal/occlusal contacts, polishing)
Time frame: Periprocedural
Survival rate
Survival will be defined as the presence of the iFDP independent of technical, biological or aesthetic complications.
Time frame: This outcome will be reported on the baseline visit and the follow-up visits after 1, 2 and 3 years
Probing Depth
Measured from the gingival margin to the bottom of the probable pocket to the nearest millimeter using a University of North Carolina (UNC15) periodontal probe with 1 mm markings (Hu-Friedy, Chicago, IL. USA) with a light probing force (≃ 0.2 N)
Time frame: This outcome will be assessed at the baseline visit and the follow-up visits after 1, 2 and 3 years.
Esthetic outcomes
Standardized photographs, occlusal and buccal aspect will be taken from each patient at each visit for documentation purposes and for evaluating the esthetic aspects. Outcomes will be assessed by using modified criteria of United States Public Health Services (USPHS) (Barnes, Arpante et al. 1995).
Time frame: This outcome will be assessed at the baseline visit and the follow-up visits after 1, 2 and 3 years.
Technical outcomes
Technical outcomes of the iFDP will be assessed using modified criteria of United States Public Health Services (USPHS) (Barnes, Arpante et al. 1995).
Time frame: this outcome will be assessed at the baseline visit and the follow-up visits after 1, 2 and 3 years.
Patient-reported outcomes
Patient satisfaction to the treatment and iFDP will be assessed with questions on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Patients will be asked questions regarding their satisfaction on a scale of 0 (not satisfied) to 100 (very satisfied) with the prostheses.
Time frame: This outcome will be assessed at the baseline and follow-up visits after 1, 2 and 3 years
Adverse events
Any Adverse Event (AE) related or possibly related to the study procedures.
Time frame: through study completion. This outcome will be reported at baseline and follow-up visits after 1, 2 and 3 years.
Bleeding on probing (BOP)
Presence of bleeding within 30 s after gently probing. The percentage of positive answers will be calculated.
Time frame: This outcome will be assessed at the baseline visit and the follow-up visits after 1, 2 and 3 years.
Plaque control record
Presence of plaque evaluated dichotomously. The percentage of positive answers will be calculated.
Time frame: This outcome will be assessed at the baseline visit and the follow-up visits after 1, 2 and 3 years.
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