Objectives
This single-round survey on prosthodontic rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla is one of four clinician surveys commissioned prior to the first Global Consensus for Clinical Guidelines (GCCG). Within the GCCG aim of refining treatment protocols and enhancing patient care, this survey gathered expert insights into best practices, challenges, and treatment outcomes for these complex restorative procedures.
Materials and Methods
The 25-item survey was sent to 230 identified experts from 41 countries in October 2024. Participation in the survey was voluntary and without incentives. Informed consent was obtained at the beginning of the survey. All data were collected, stored, and processed anonymously.
Results
Of the 230 experts contacted, 123 accessed the survey and 121 provided consent and completed the questionnaire, resulting in a response rate of 52.6%. The survey responses identified 13 statements that reached consensus (>?75% but = 95% agreement) and five that reached strong consensus (>?95% agreement). These 18 statements were derived from 6 items addressing the topics of anatomical landmarks for tooth positioning, preferred distal implant position, preferred minimum implant diameter, preferred retention method, relevant patient-reported outcomes, and relevant clinician-reported outcomes.
Conclusion
This study gathered valuable expert insights to inform a consensus development process for establishing clinical practice guidelines for management of the edentulous maxilla. The survey identified 18 statements from six items that reached consensus or strong consensus among survey respondents. The items not achieving consensus served to reflect real-world implant treatment strategies, identify literature gaps, and highlight any inconsistencies between expert consensus and current evidence.
Guo-Hao Lin, Franz J. Strauss, Giulia Brunello, Charlotte Stilwell, Ronald E. Jung, Ina Kopp, Frank Schwarz, Hom-Lay Wang
Disease Category: Dentistry & oral health
Disease Name: Dental implants
Age Range: 18 - 120
Sex: Either
Nature of Intervention: Dental implant
- Clinical experts
- Recommendations for outcome measures (measurement/how)
- Recommendations made
- Survey