The success of oral reabilitation treatment depend on the re-establishment of the masticatory function and oral comfort of the patient. Objective: To evaluate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients undergoing rehabilitation with implant-supported prostheses by Oral Health Impact Profile - short form questionnaire (OHIP-14) and a questionnaire associated to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Material and methods: Fourteen patients requiring implant-supported prostheses on anterior region were asked to complete the OHIP-14 before, 1 and 3 months, and the VAS questionnaire, 1 and 3 months after the prosthesis installation (sample group). Moreover, fourteen complete dentate patients were asked to complete the OHIP-14 (control group). For each OHIP-14 category, the sample group’s answers were compared between the evaluation periods by the Kruskal-Wallis test, and to the control group’s answers by the U-test. The answers of the questionnaire associated to VAS were compared between the evaluation periods by t-test ( α=0.05). Results: For OHIP-14, there was no statistical difference between the answers after 1 and 3 months; however, there was difference among the answers of baseline, and 1 and 3 months after the prostheses installation, excepted for functional limitation. Comparing to the control group, before the prostheses installation, there was statistical difference for functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort, physical and psychological disability; and, there was no difference after 3 months of prostheses installation. For the questionnaire associated to the VAS, there was no statistical difference between the responses for both evaluation periods, excepted for the prosthesis’ comfort and stability. Conclusion: The rehabilitated patients showed a significant improvement in function, aesthetics, self-esteem, and the quality of life.
Health-related quality of life of patients undergoing rehabilitation with implant-supported prostheses
