Quality of reporting of experimental research in implant dentistry. Critical aspects in design, outcome assessment and model validation

Objective: The aim was to assess the quality of reporting of experimental research in implant dentistry by a critical evaluation of study design, outcome assessments and model validation. Material & Methods: An online search was performed using the MEDLINE. Experimental studies performed in both animals and humans were included. A stratified random sample of the included studies was extracted and used for quantitative and qualitative analyses. Modified versions of the ARRIVE guidelines were used for quality assessment. Results: A total of 982 papers were eligible and used for quantitative analyses. A stratified random sample of 193 publications was extracted. The dog model was the most used experimental model whereas experimental studies on humans were few. Intra- oral experimental sites dominated in human, monkey, dog and mini- pig studies. Extra oral sites dominated in rabbit, rodent and goat/sheep studies. Studies on the pathogenesis and treatment of peri- implant diseases were few. Conclusion: Different animal models, experimental protocols and methods of analysis have been used to address different areas of experimental research in implant dentistry. Standardized designs for investigations within this type of experimental research seem to be lacking. Furthermore, in many of these studies there were limitations in reporting on methodology and statistical methods.