Dentists’ knowledge and attitude in immediate implant loading protocol of dental implants- A cross-sectional survey
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v12i3.32208Keywords:
Dental practitioners, Dental implant, Immediate implant loading, SurveyAbstract
Background: Dental implant therapy is still considered an evolving field in Nepal, with most dentists favoring implant placement following the delayed loading protocol (>3 months) even in the rehabilitation of missing anterior teeth. There is need to understand the clinical difference between immediate and delayed loading protocols of the dental implants. With advent of immediate loading protocol of dental implants, instant rehabilitation in addition to better esthetics and self-confidence can be obtained.
Aims and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of general dentist towards immediate loading protocol of dental implants.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional survey was conducted among Nepalese general dentists who have entered their clinical practice in private or government hospital regardless of their years of experience. A self-administered questionnaire adapted from some previous studies was framed and distributed with the primary objective to determine their knowledge and attitude towards immediate loading protocols of dental implants. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences version 22 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA).
Results: Among the 250 participants included in this study, 94.8% of the respondents completely filled the questionnaire. Nearly 46.4% of participants had good knowledge on the procedure and advantages offered by the immediately loaded dental implants with provisional restorations, whereas 83.1% had negative reservations toward implant placement using the protocol. In addition, this study found a statistically significant association (p<0.05) between the knowledge and attitude of dental practitioners regarding the protocol.
Conclusion: Although dental implants have changed the outlook of dentistry in the past few decades, there is slightly poor knowledge and significant negative attitude of dentists toward the immediate implant loading protocol. The general dentist are expected to increase their awareness about immediate loading with subsequent training on its use and viability so that proper information can be disseminated to the patients. This will help to increase the practice of immediate implant in indicated cases by implantologist with further benefit to patient’s time and esthetics.
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