Patient attitudes and expectations of dental implant treatment - A questionnaire study

The aim of the present study was to evaluate patient attitudes and expectations relative to dental implant treatment. A questionnaire was mailed to all 400 patients that had received dental implant treatment at a large multi-specialist clinic during 2008.The questionnaire included questions relative to the reasons for dental implant treatment, if the patient earlier had considered dental implants, expectations of the treatment, discomfort during and after surgery, and how the patient perceived the esthetic outcome. The response rate was 61% (114 men/130 women). The stated reason for tooth loss was in 50% of the patients periodontitis, 19% caries, 8% accidents, 13% other reasons, and 10% no stated reason. Almost all patients (96%) were satisfied with the esthetic appearance and also regarding the information of the treatment (94%). Regarding the time between surgery and completion of prosthetic work, 79% (n= 192) found it to be reasonable. 71% (n=170) thought the cost was what they had expected. 47% of the patients experienced the implant surgery better than expected and 48% as expected. In conclusion, the present study revealed that almost all patients were satisfied with the function and esthetics of the dental implant reconstruction and most patients were also satisfied regarding the costs and treatment duration.