Patient-reported outcome measures comparing static computer-aided implant surgery and conventional implant surgery for single-tooth replacement: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To compare static computer-aided implant surgery (s-CAIS) and conventional implant surgery (CIS) for single-tooth replacement in posterior sites in terms of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Methods: Forty patients were divided into two groups for treatment with s-CAIS (Test) and CIS (Control). Patients’ anxiety level was measured using the modified dental anxiety score before implant surgery. After surgery, patients completed two questionnaires for 7 days. The first questionnaire assessed pain level using a visual analog scale (VAS) and the incident rate of pain using a 5-point Likert scale; analgesic intake was also recorded. The second questionnaire investigated patients’ oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) including postoperative symptoms, oral function, and daily activity. The difference between data was compared at significance level (α = 0.05). Results: There was no statistically significant difference in pretreatment dental anxiety level, postoperative pain scores, and OHRQoL between treatment groups. Overall, mild or moderate dental anxiety was reported by 70% and 20% of patients, respectively. Pain score was significantly reduced by postoperative Day 3 in the test group and Day 4 in the control group, compared with baseline. Both groups significant reduced analgesic intake by postoperative Day 5. Most OHRQoL-related complaints subsided approximately 3 days after surgery. Conclusions: Overall, PROMs between s-CAIS and CIS were not significantly different for the single-tooth implant surgery in the posterior area. Postoperative symptoms after implant surgery still inevitably occurred, reflecting the normal process of oral wound healing.