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Dental implants from the patients perspective: Transition from tooth loss, through amputation to implants – negative and positive trajectories
Author(s) -
Johannsen Annsofi,
Westergren Albert,
Johannsen Gunnar
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of clinical periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.456
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1600-051X
pISSN - 0303-6979
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-051x.2012.01893.x
Subject(s) - denial , dentistry , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , shame , qualitative research , thematic analysis , dental implant , tooth loss , amputation , implant , psychology , orthodontics , nursing , social psychology , oral health , surgery , psychotherapist , social science , sociology
Aim The aim of this study was to explore patients' expectations on and experiences from dental implant treatment through deep‐interview technique. Material & Methods A qualitative study design was chosen and 17 patients were interviewed by open‐ended questions. All patients in the study had a previous history of periodontal disease with, in most cases, many years of treatment. The interviews were transcribed; a coding process was used according to qualitative conventional content analysis. Results In the analysis, a core category was identified as “Transition from tooth loss, to ‘Amputation’, and to implants – negative and positive trajectories”. When the patients faced the fact that it was not possible to keep the teeth any longer, a period of fear, shame and denial, which also affected their social life negatively followed. After they received their implants and the chewing ability and appearance became better, it also improved their quality of life. Conclusion Treatment with dental implants improved function, enhanced self‐esteem, social life and, thus quality of life. In clinical practice, information about dental implants and motivational strategies are needed during the period before getting dental implants. Follow‐up is important thereafter, capturing both the pros and cons with implants.