Date of Award
Spring 2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Dentistry
Program
Periodontics
First Advisor
Kofina, Vrisiis
Second Advisor
Rawal, Swati
Third Advisor
Han, Shengtong
Abstract
Objective: Hard tissue outcomes after implant placement have been well documented. However, there is scarce evidence on immediate soft tissue and patient-centered outcomes. The aim of this prospective study is to quantify post-implant placement edema and to correlate it with oral health-related quality of life. Methods: Patients undergoing a standardized two-stage implant placement at a single tooth-bound site were recruited (n=26; 54.13.3 years, 14 males). Soft tissue edema was recorded by using intraoral scans immediately pre- (PS) and post-operatively (IP), at 2 (2D), 7 (7D) and 14 days (14D) and 2 months (2M). After scan registration, ridge width, maximum height, and volume changes from IP were recorded. OHIP-14 and VAS for pain and swelling were recorded at preop and follow-up visits. Results: Ridge width (1.90.04mm), height (1.4 0.02 mm) and volume (37.80.8%) peaked on 2D. Ridge width reached PS levels by 14D (p=0.44). Height increases from IP to 2D and 7D were the highest compared to all other time point increases (p<0.0001). OHIP-14 and VAS for pain and for swelling exhibited a similar trajectory, peaking at 2D and reaching PS levels by 7D (pain: PS/7D p=0.07; OHIP-14: PS/7D p=0.28) and 14D (swelling: PS/14D p=0.18). There were no statistically significant correlations between edema, OHIP-14 and VAS measurements. Conclusion: Following implant placement, soft tissue changes show a maximal response at 2 days and patients experience the most significant pain and swelling and the worst oral health-related quality of life at the same time point. However, clinically measured and patient-reported outcomes were not correlated.