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Aim: Implant dentistry has gained immense popularity in the field of oral rehabilitation. However, a lack of patient awareness about the procedure, its advantages, and limitations results in a lack of their active participation in the treatment plan. The aim of this study was, with the help of a questionnaire, to assess up-to-date patients' perspectives on dental implants and its cost. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey of 14 questions was distributed among 1000 randomly selected participants attending ten private clinics in the city of Mumbai, India. Frequencies and percentages of the responses were tabulated and calculated. Results: Among the participants of the survey, 90.5% were of the opinion that missing teeth should be replaced, but only 53.6% were aware about dental implants. About 65.7% of these individuals received information about dental implants from dentists and 42.3% considered the implant to last for a lifetime. About 39.4% of the participants thought that the biggest advantage of the implant was a fixed replacement to a missing tooth, whereas the high cost associated with the procedure was the biggest disadvantage as considered by 43.7% of participants. A majority of them (75.9%) expressed that treatment was nonaffordable; however, they were willing to learn more about the treatment modality. Conclusion: The survey concluded that 53.6% of the Indian metropolitan population had heard about dental implants as a treatment option but considered it expensive. Improved doctor–patient communication would be needed to avoid misconceptions regarding the implant therapy and the cost associated with it. |
