Validation of the 'Quality of Life with Implant Prostheses (QoLIP-10)' questionnaire for wearers of cement-retained implant-supported restorations

Objectives To validate the 'Quality of Life with Implant-Prostheses (QoLIP-10)' questionnaire for assessing the impact of cemented implant prostheses on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). Methods 84 subjects wearing implant restorations were distributed as follows: Group 1 (SD-I; n = 35): screwed FDPs (fixed dental prostheses) supported by 2 implants; Group 2 (SD-II; n = 7): screwed FDPs supported by 3-5 implants; Group 3 (CD-I; n = 36): cemented FDPs supported by 2 implants; and Group 4 (CD-II; n = 6): cemented FDPs supported by 3-5 implants. The QoLIP-10 and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14sp) scales were used. Data related to global oral satisfaction, socio-demographics, health-behaviors, and prostheses, were gathered. Reliability and validity of the QoLIP-10 were investigated. Correlations between both indices were explored with the Spearman's rank test. Descriptive and non-parametric probes were run to evaluate the effect of the study variables on the OHRQoL (α = 0.05). Results The QoLIP-10 confirmed its psychometric capacity for cemented implant prosthesis wearers. Both tests were inversely correlated. The QoLIP-10 attributed the significantly worst QoL to long-span cemented prostheses. Groups were significantly discriminated by the QoLIP-10 performance dimension. The variable complaints about the mouth and the three global oral satisfaction measures significantly modulated the OHRQoL. Conclusions Patient satisfaction depends upon the extension and the type of retention of implant FDPs. Clinical significance The QoLIP-10 may help estimating the effect of cemented FDPs on patients' well-being. When compared to screwed FDPs, short cemented implant restorations lead to greater improvements in patients' self-perceived QoL.