Evaluation of the Difficulties Faced in Stage-2 Implant Procedure by Dental Practitioners
Author(s): Faazila Fathima and Suresh V*
Abstract
Oral implantology is a well-established subspecialty of restorative dental and oral surgery. Implant-supported restorations are considered as the main treatment of choice from the perspective of occlusal support, preservation of adjacent teeth, and avoidance of a removable partial denture. Even as major advances have occurred over the last few decades in the clinical use of implants making it a relatively simpler and chairside procedure, various complications have led to implant failure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the difficulties faced in stage-2 implant procedure by dental practitioners. A cross sectional questionnaire based study was carried out among dental practitioners in Chennai. A self-administered questionnaire was designed. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the difficulties dental practitioners faced during stage-2 implant procedure. The questionnaire was distributed through an online link to 50 dental practitioners. The data were collected and statistically analyzed using SPSS software. From the results, it is observed that the majority (72%) of the dental practitioners preferred to call an implant specialist for stage-2 procedure and various challenges the practitioners faced in stage-2 procedure were difficulty in locating cover screw (54%), bone loss (62%), implant stability (52%), achieving path of insertion (40%), and abutment screw loosening (46%) and over contoured crowns (54%). Thus it was observed that dental practitioners faced various difficulties in stage-2 implant procedure. These challenges can be overcome by correct selection of cases, knowledge on the risks and methods to avoid them with necessary information.