Long-term results of osseointegrated implant-retained facial prostheses: a 5-year retrospective study.

ABSTRACT

In this study a questionnaire survey was prepared and distributed to patients who had been fitted with a facial prosthesis at least 5 years earlier, with the aim of 1) reviewing the implants statistically, and 2) examining psychological changes before and after the use of an implant-supported prosthesis. Twelve patients had been fitted with implant-supported prostheses that had a survival rate of 97.5% after 5 years. To examine psychological changes, the patients were given the Cornell Medical Index-Health Questionnaire (CMI) and a questionnaire we originally developed. Eight of the 12 responded to the questionnaire. The CMI results from those 8 patients confirmed that none of them had sustained any emotional impairment. Our results revealed that, although the patients wore their prosthesis both indoors and out, eyeglasses were still necessary. However, wearing the prosthesis lessened the psychological impact of the facial defect, while also easing anxiety with regard to interpersonal relations.