DETERMINATION OF SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE LEVEL OF FIXED IMPLANT-SUPPORTED DENTURE PAPERS

Abstract

Objective: To describe the scientific evidence level on original articles about fixed implant-supported denture (FISD), regarding the clinical aspects implicated. Material and Methods: A literature search was carried out by using the descriptor “Implant-supported denture” on PubMed and the filters: “Dates - Last 10 years”; “Text options - Links to Free Full Text” and “Languages - English; Spanish and Portuguese”. The 93 articles found were analyzed in order to verify their compliance with the inclusion criteria for analysis of scientific evidence. Were excluded from analysis the following publications: Letters to the Editor, Editorials, and the full texts that did not address “fixed implant-supported denture”. The articles were classified according to level of scientific evidence. Results: Among the 93 articles identified, 13 (13.98%) met the inclusion criteria. As regards the analysis of scientific evidence, the studies selected are among levels 1 (literature review) and 5 (observational study), excepting level 2, and were about indications, contraindications, resistance, chewing, patient satisfaction, occlusal stability and protocol for oral rehabilitation. Conclusion: The degree of scientific evidence in FISD is low and restricted to case reports, descriptive studies and literature reviews, being indications and contraindications the main topic addressed by the studies. DESCRIPTORS Dental Implantation. Dental Prosthesis. Mouth Rehabilitation. Evidence-based practice.