Changes in Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) During Full Arch Implant Treatment

Changes in Oral Health-related Quality of Life ( OHRQoL) Full Arch Implant Treatment: A Prospective Study

Full-arch implant-supported fixed dental prostheses are a widely accepted treatment for edentulous patients, with high long-term implant survival rates. However, further research is needed on longer-term patient satisfaction and on the psychosocial impact of this treatment on patients' daily life and functioning. Assessing patient-reported outcomes - oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and patient satisfaction - allows the impact of full-arch rehabilitation on patients to be evaluated.

The aim of this prospective observational cohort study is to evaluate changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) during the course of full-arch implant-supported rehabilitation. The study also aims to analyze whether the type of edentulous arch (maxilla or mandible) and the type of prosthetic rehabilitation (e.g. provisional vs definitive, and different prosthetic materials) influence the evolution of OHRQoL and patient satisfaction.

Eligible patients will undergo immediate full-arch implant-supported treatment using 4, 6, or 8 implants per arch, depending on the anatomical and clinical indications. Immediate loading will be achieved through screw-retained acrylic provisional prostheses. After a healing period of 3 to 6 months, a definitive screw-retained prosthesis (monolithic zirconia, veneered zirconia, or hybrid prosthesis) will be delivered.

Patient-reported outcomes will be assessed using three instruments (two validated questionnaires - OHIP-14 PT and PIDAQ-PT - and one custom-made Global Satisfaction Questionnaire):

Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14 PT)

• Assesses perceived oral health-related quality of life.
• Administered at five time points:

T0: Baseline (before surgery)

T1: Day of surgery (calibration)

T2: One month after surgery and provisional prosthesis placement

T3: Prior to definitive prosthesis delivery

T4: One month after definitive prosthesis placement

Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ-PT)

• Evaluates patients' self-perception and psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics.
• Administered at:

T0: Baseline

T2: One month after surgery and provisional prosthesis placement

T4: One month after definitive prosthesis placement

Global Satisfaction Questionnaire - Global Satisfaction Questionnaire […] - Administered at two time points:

T0: Baseline (before surgery) T4: One month after definitive prosthesis placement

Custom-made questionnaire with six items assessing patient satisfaction in the following domains:

General condition

Phonetics

Chewing comfort

Prosthesis stability

Ease of cleaning (cleanability)

Aesthetics - Each item is rated using a 4-point Likert scale:

"Very satisfied",

"Mostly satisfied",

"Less satisfied",

"Not at all satisfied".

- Administered at T4 only.

Quantitative data collected from these instruments will be used to analyze the progression of OHRQoL throughout the rehabilitation process and to explore correlations between patient profiles (sociodemographic and clinical variables) and perceived outcomes.

All questionnaires will be administered in Portuguese using secure digital platforms (Google Forms), ensuring patient confidentiality and data integrity.

Inclusion Criteria:

Adults aged 18 years or older. Patients requiring full-arch implant-supported rehabilitation of the maxilla and/or mandible.

Patients with indication for immediate full-arch implant-supported rehabilitation using 4, 6, or 8 implants per arch, according to anatomical and clinical conditions.

Patients able to understand the study procedures and complete patient-reported outcome questionnaires Patients willing to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients with medical contraindications for implant surgery. Patients unable to provide informed consent. Patients unable to complete the study questionnaires Patients with uncontrolled systemic conditions that may contraindicate implant therapy.

Patients unable or unwilling to attend the planned follow-up visits. Patients receiving partial-arch implant rehabilitation only.