Success criteria in implant dentistry: A systematic review

The purpose of this study was to examine the most frequently used criteria to define treatment success in implant dentistry. an electronic medline/pubmed search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials and prospective studies reporting on outcomes of implant dentistry. only studies conducted with roughened surface implants and at least five-year follow-up were included. data were analyzed for success at the implant level,peri-implant soft tissue,prosthetics,and patient satisfaction. most frequently reported criteria for success at the implant level were mobility,pain,radiolucency,and peri-implant bone loss (> 1.5 mm),and for success at the peri-implant soft-tissue level,suppuration,and bleeding. the criteria for success at the prosthetic level were the occurrence of technical complications/prosthetic maintenance,adequate function,and esthetics during the five-year period. the criteria at patient satisfaction level were discomfort and paresthesia,satisfaction with appearance,and ability to chew/taste. success in implant dentistry should ideally evaluate a long-term primary outcome of an implant-prosthetic complex as a whole. © 2012 international & american associations for dental research.