Awareness and Knowledge of Dental Implants as an Option for Replacing Missing Teeth: A Survey in Hyderabad, India

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Awareness among patients regarding use ofimplants is in need and for which effective and adequatecommunication is vital. Aims and Objectives: To gauge theawareness and knowledge regarding dental implants as anoption of treatment to replace missing teeth among patients inHyderabad, India.Material and Methods: A standardized self- explanatoryquestionnaire was prepared and distributed in five dentalclinics of Hyderabad. The questionnaires were handed tothe patients during their regular dental visits. A total of 450subjects were included in this survey.Results: We found that 62.5% (250) patients had someknowledge about dental implants. The main source ofinformation regarding dental implants was form their friendsand relatives (35%; 140 subjects) and dentists being thesecondary source for 30% (120) of the sample. The majorhindering factor that prevents patients from choosing implantswas cost effectiveness in 87.5% (350) of the cases.Conclusion: The awareness and knowledge about dentalimplants in the subjects were acceptable among a selectedsample of dental patients in Hyderabad, India. Still there is aneed for providing more general and accurate information tothe patients about this latest treatment modality