Dental implant removal rates and related factors in older adults in Korea: a cross-sectional study using National...

Dental implants have been covered by the National Health Insurance for older adults in Korea since 2014. As the number of implant treatments has increased, the occurrence of related complications has also grown. While many clinical studies have examined mechanical and biological complications, few epidemiological studies using national data have identified population-level risk factors. This study aimed to determine the dental implant removal rate and related factors among older adults based on the Andersen Behavioral Model.

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with implant removal. Unadjusted and stepwise cumulative models were applied for predisposing, enabling, and need factors. All analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26.0, with statistical significance set at α=0.05.

The overall dental implant removal rate among older adults was approximately 0.4%. Higher removal rates were observed among males, those aged 65-69, current smokers, individuals with diabetes, and the self-employed group with higher income levels. Current smokers had 1.75 times higher odds of implant removal (95% confidence interval, 1.39 to 2.22) than non- smokers or former smokers.

Targeted education, management, and preventive interventions for high-risk groups, including smokers and patients with diabetes, are necessary to improve implant success and reduce complications. These findings provide population- based evidence to inform public health strategies that promote successful implant outcomes among older adults.