For many general dentists, dental implants have become an increasingly common treatment option for missing dentition. On the other hand, with the population becoming increasingly older worldwide, general dentists will be confronted with patients who have complex medical and social histories who desire tooth replacement therapy.
We performed a questionnaire survey of dentists to understand the present conditions of implant patients who were then followed up in this study. The questionnaire was sent to those who attended the specialist education lecture at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the nonprofit foundation, Japanese Society of Oral Implantology. The questions concerned the overall implant treatment, situation of nursing care patients who received implant treatment, and problems. Regarding the overall implant treatment, the most common age group was patients aged 40 to 60 years old, occupying approximately 90% of all patients.
About half of the dentists had experienced interruption of implant treatment regardless of treatment period, and the causes included a malignant tumor, cerebrovascular disorder, senility, and dementia.
Regarding nursing care patients who received implant treatment, about half of the dentists had experienced the treatment of a patient who had an implant through house calls. Furthermore, it was found that these patients often had difficulties with their own mouth care.
This investigation clarified the present state of experience of implant treatment. It is certain that implant treatment is a very useful treatment, but education for the family and the care staff will be necessary because it is difficult for a dentist to treat all patients by house calls. It is also important for dentists and the Japanese Society of Oral Implantology to make guidelines for such situations.
