Patients' perceptions of implant therapy and maintenance: A questionnaire-based survey

Objectives: To evaluate patients' perceptions regarding implant treatment and maintenance. Material and methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was developed focusing on 4 main domains: (a) information regarding possible complications received before implant therapy; (b) information received after treatment regarding maintenance; (c) self-performed daily home care; and (d) implant maintenance received at the dental office. Adult patients, restored with implant-supported prosthesis by at least 6 months, were recruited between June 2016 and December 2017. Results: The study population consisted of 522 patients with a mean age of 61 years. The majority of the participants referred to have received information about the need of periodical check-ups (91.6%). However, only 58.9% declared to have been informed about complications and failures before treatment commencement. Even though 91.2% of the participants declared to have received instruction about cleaning measures around implants, less than half of the sample reported to have been asked to try the cleaning tools at the office (40.4%). Even though patients' awareness about implant treatment and maintenance resulted to be low in a consistent part of the sample, patients' satisfaction level about information received regarding implant care was high (Visual Analogue Scale 8.18). Conclusions: Most patients appeared to be informed about the importance of specific oral hygiene measurements and recall programs. However, an unsatisfactory level of knowledge about implant-related complications was evidenced. Improvements in time and energy employed by dentists and hygienist in communication with patients are needed, in order to enhance health outcomes and compliance both to the treatment and to the maintenance.