Evaluation of Elderly Patients’ Knowledge and Awareness of Dental İmplant Treatments Applying to Periodontology and Prosthodontics Departments

Objective: Dental implants are a great treatment choice for replacing lost teeth with benefits like strong chewing ability, long-term use, and natural tooth preservation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of the geriatric population in our nation regarding their preference for dental implants in prosthetic treatments. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out by questionnaires, assessing knowledge about implants and demographic information, administered to patients attending the periodontology and prosthodontic clinics who volunteered to participate. The collected data were imported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences and the chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests were utilized to evaluate categorical variables represented as a percentage of study participants. Results: A total of 200 individuals were enrolled. A significant correlation was found between implant knowledge with age, education and income level. According to the survey’s findings, 95.5% of the respondents were aware of implants in varying degrees, and for the majority of them, their dentist was their primary source of information, followed by friends, family, and electronic media. While the majority of participants claimed that the cost of implants prevented them from considering getting one, 33.5% of them believed that the type of implant was the most crucial element influencing the treatment’s outcome. Conclusion: The results of this survey reveal that most geriatric patients are aware of implant treatment, but lack correct information. Dentists must pay close attention to patient-based assessment and education to assist patients and families comprehend the benefits and drawbacks of implant therapy.