Assessment of Level of Expectation and Awareness towards Dental Implants among Complete Denture Patients and Partial Denture Prostheses Wearers

Abstract

Background Among many options to replace missing teeth, dental implant is widely popular but willingness to have implant treatment and its success depends on patients’ knowledge and expectations as well as the care, skill, and judgment of clinicians.

Objective The main objective of this study was to assess awareness, expectation and source of information about dental implant among complete and removable partial denture wearers and to find association between them.

Method A questionnaire consisting of 6 close-ended questions was used to assess the level of knowledge and awareness among patients visiting Dental Outpatient Department of Dhulikhel Hospital regarding dental implants as a treatment option for replacing missing teeth. Chi-square test was used to study the association between demographic variables and awareness about implantation. Statistical software SPSS 20.0 was used for data analysis.

Result Our results revealed significant difference in age (p=0.001), education level (p=0.03) and occupation (p=0.004) in awareness of dental implant and no significant difference in gender (p=0.567), compared between complete and removable partial denture wearers. Due to lack of awareness, lower educational status and advanced age the patients responded that they “did not know “ in answer to almost all the questions.

Conclusion The awareness level of dental implant was low among complete and removable denture patients and this was associated with a low level of education and lack of accurate information about dental implants.