Basel, Switzerland, July 4, 2013 -- A report published as the lead article in the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants shows that dental implants offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional treatments for tooth replacement.

The report, which is also cited on PubMed, the US National Library of Medicine located at the National Institutes of Health (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23527335), is based on a systematic review of all available studies published in English between 2000 and 2010 relating to the cost-effectiveness of various tooth-replacement options. In total, 14 studies on long-term costs were included in the final review, which yielded the following conclusions:

For single-tooth replacement, implant-based solutions were generally cost-saving or cost-effective in comparison with traditional tooth-borne prostheses (bridges).

For patients with full dentures, implant-borne solutions were associated with higher initial costs than traditional (non-fixed) dentures. However, the consensus of most studies was that, over the long term, dental implants represent a cost-effective treatment option. Additionally, patient acceptance, satisfaction, and willingness to pay for dental implants were high, particularly in elderly edentulous patients. A trend toward improved overall improved oral-health-related quality of life and decreased healthcare costs was also reported.

A key objective of this review was to conduct an extensive literature search and to consolidate all the relevant findings into one document that could serve as a single point of reference for healthcare professionals and patients. The fact that it has been published by a leading peer-reviewed scientific journal endorses the quality of the authors’ research.

For details, consult the published article: Vogel R, Smith-Palmer J, Valentine W. Evaluating the Health Economic Implications and Cost-Effectiveness of Dental Implants: A Literature Review. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2013;28:343-356. doi: 10.11607/jomi.2921.