# 1st Global Consensus for Clinical Guidelines for the Rehabilitation of the Edentulous Maxilla: Single‐Round Survey on Implant‐Supported Fixed and Removable Prostheses

## TL;DR

Experts from around the world shared insights on best practices for rehabilitating the edentulous maxilla using implants, leading to 18 statements that reached consensus or strong agreement.

## Contribution

The study presents a global expert consensus on implant-supported rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla, identifying key treatment protocols and areas needing further research.

## Key findings

- 18 statements reached consensus or strong consensus on topics like implant positioning and retention methods.
- Five statements achieved strong consensus (>95% agreement), while 13 reached consensus (>75% agreement).
- Non-consensus items highlighted gaps in evidence and inconsistencies in current practices.

## Abstract

This single‐round survey on prosthodontic rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla is one of four clinician surveys commissioned prior to the first Global Consensus for Clinical Guidelines (GCCG). Within the GCCG aim of refining treatment protocols and enhancing patient care, this survey gathered expert insights into best practices, challenges, and treatment outcomes for these complex restorative procedures.

The 25‐item survey was sent to 230 identified experts from 41 countries in October 2024. Participation in the survey was voluntary and without incentives. Informed consent was obtained at the beginning of the survey. All data were collected, stored, and processed anonymously.

Of the 230 experts contacted, 123 accessed the survey and 121 provided consent and completed the questionnaire, resulting in a response rate of 52.6%. The survey responses identified 13 statements that reached consensus (> 75% but ≤ 95% agreement) and five that reached strong consensus (> 95% agreement). These 18 statements were derived from 6 items addressing the topics of anatomical landmarks for tooth positioning, preferred distal implant position, preferred minimum implant diameter, preferred retention method, relevant patient‐reported outcomes, and relevant clinician‐reported outcomes.

This study gathered valuable expert insights to inform a consensus development process for establishing clinical practice guidelines for management of the edentulous maxilla. The survey identified 18 statements from six items that reached consensus or strong consensus among survey respondents. The items not achieving consensus served to reflect real‐world implant treatment strategies, identify literature gaps, and highlight any inconsistencies between expert consensus and current evidence.