Subjective need for implant dentistry in a Swedish population aged 45-69 years

The present paper is part of a comprehensive study of dental conditions and attitudes in a Swedish county population aged 45-69 years. A questionnaire was mailed to 3000 randomly-sampled individuals. The response rate was 79.4%. Part of the questionnaire contained questions about subjective need for implant treatment. The subjects were informed of the clinical procedures as well as of the fees for implant treatment in the Swedish insurance system. The subjects wearing removable dentures were asked if, instead of their removable denture(s), they wanted dental implants if such treatment was possible. Of those wearing removable partial dentures, 23% answered "yes". The corresponding figure for subjects totally edentulous in one jaw was 17%; for subjects totally edentulous in both jaws 8%. The individuals who had reported missing teeth not replaced were asked if they wanted their missing teeth replaced by dental implants if such treatment were possible. The % answering "yes" was 21%. The subjects with all teeth remaining were hypothetically asked what kind of treatment they wanted if they would lose 1 or 2 of their teeth. The answer "dental implant" was given by 51%. Thus, subjective need for dental implants tended to decrease with poorer dental conditions. The major reason for not wanting dental implants was satisfaction with present dental conditions. Cost for treatment had some importance, while environmental and psychological factors showed only very limited influence.