A SURVEY OF SURGICAL PROTOCOL PRACTICED BY DENTAL PRACTITIONERS FOR IMPLANT PLACEMENT IN BANGALORE (INDIA)

Abstract

Purpose: To present results of a survey to know the surgical protocol and associated materials used by dental professionals in Bangalore (Karnataka, India) for an efficacious implant practice. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 200 dentists. The survey specifically targeted dentists who place dental implants; those who reported that they did not place dental implants were excluded. The questionnaire requested information regarding the protocol adapted by dentists during surgical phase of implant placement. Results: A total of 104 respondents completed the survey. 12 surveys were partially completed and were not included in the results. Out of 104, 72 were dentists with a post graduation degree (M.D.S.) while 32 were general dental practitioners with only graduation degree (B.D.S.). Most of the respondents i.e. 68 practitioners had started practicing recently and had an experience of 10 years or less. Most dentists employ a simple OPG examination for planning an implant surgery. Conclusion: most of the dentists follow the well documented techniques which have been documented in the literature. These techniques may be useful in reducing errors in placement of dental implant and increasing implant success rates, especially for inexperienced practitioners, dental students, surgical residents and dental implant trainees.