Reasons for not using Implants to retain Complete Denture: Patients' Survey

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Prosthodontics
• Patient Psychology

Background:

• Complete denture (CD) wear is common, but often suboptimal.
• Dental implants offer superior retention and function for dentures.
• Understanding barriers to implant adoption is critical for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify reasons preventing complete denture wearers from opting for implant-retained dentures.
• To gather data from a specific patient population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among complete denture wearers in Riyadh.
• A paper-and-pencil questionnaire with 20 questions was utilized.
• Data was collected from 270 participants across three locations.

Main Results:

• Fear of pain (66.7%) was the leading deterrent to implant treatment.
• Fear of surgery (64.8%) and postoperative complications (61.5%) were also significant factors.
• Negative information from others (57%) and cost (52.2%) were other key reasons for refusal.

Conclusions:

• Fear, encompassing pain, surgery, and complications, is the primary barrier to dental implant use among complete denture wearers.
• Dentists must proactively address patient fears and misinformation to improve implant acceptance rates.
• Overcoming these psychological and informational obstacles is vital for successful prosthodontic treatment planning.