Implementing Digital Workflow for fabrication of Implant Supported Overdentures reduces cost: Study

For edentulism, an implant supported removable complete overdenture (IOD) is an attractive solution to restore patients' chewing capacity, aesthetics, and self-esteem, however, treatment is expensive and time consuming.

A study was done to estimate the decline in costs for digitally designed and CAD/CAM fabricated IODs (3D-IODs) compared to conventionally fabricated IODs (C-IODs) at comparable general health related quality of life (GHRQoL). A randomized crossover study enrolled 36 fully edentulous patients, in whom six maxillary implants were placed together with two mandibular implants, if not already present. At the start of the study, a set of C-IODs and 3D-IODs was fabricated for each patient.

All patients wore each IOD-type for 1 year: first the 3D-IOD and the second year a C-IOD, or vice versa. At all three-time points patients general QoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire as well as the SF-36 from which the SF-6D was obtained, to research the anticipation of no significant difference. To enable cost consequence analysis (CCA), both costs made within healthcare and patient costs were assessed. Subsequently, a budget impact analysis (BIA) was performed to demonstrate the potential savings.