Health utility assessment is one of the most commonly used preference based methods of measuring health related quality of life. However, few studies have compared utility assessments among patients with different prosthodontic treatments. Objective: This study compared the utility scores of patients with dental implants to those with conventional dentures and bridgework, using two utility assessments. Methods: Random samples of patients with dental implants (I) (n=45), conventional dentures (D) (n=40) and bridgework (B) (n=42) were recruited. Utility values were obtained using a visual analogue scale with end points of 0 to 100 (VAS) and the Standard Gamble technique (SG). Results: The mean age of the three groups were 57 (I), 57 (D) and 54 (B) years. Two in five were male, a pattern that was consistent across the three groups. Using VAS, the mean utility scores for I, D and B groups were 93, 70 and 92 respectively. For SG, the corresponding values were 85, 67 and 80. While the VAS generally produced higher mean utility scores than SG, the patterns remained consistent. Patients with conventional dentures had significantly lower utility values, compared with the other two groups (p<0.01). Conclusions: There was a considerable agreement between the two utility assessments. Patients with dental implants had the highest utility scores, while those with conventional dentures had the lowest values.

Funded by NHS R&D Northern & Yorkshire, UK and Nobel Biocare UK.

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