Survey of implant experience by prosthodontists in the United States

Abstract

The paper presents results of a survey of members of the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) conducted to determine experiences and practices with dental implants. Preliminary survey questions regarding the prosthetic and surgical use of dental implants were developed. The master list of questions was distributed to communities of interest to establish the most pertinent items of interest. The final questionnaire was distributed to all members of the ACP living or practicing in the United States and members engaged in the U.S. armed services. Responses were compiled and analyzed to determine correlation of responses using the chi-squared test for count data (level of significance alpha = 0.05). Fisher's exact test was applied to all significant responses. Surveys were distributed to 1815 ACP members. A total of 554 (31%) surveys were completed. On the basis of age distribution of survey respondents, it was determined that the respondents were representative of the ACP membership. The majority of the respondents (82%; CI, 79% to 85%) treat patients with implant-supported prostheses, while 12% (CI, 10% to 15%) surgically place implants. Of those not placing implants, 24% reported a desire to place implants, while 43% of all respondents expressed a desire for an ACP-sponsored course in implant placement. Increased age of the prosthodontist correlated negatively with a desire to place implants (p < 0.0001). Dissatisfaction with implant placement by others correlates with willingness to surgically place implants (p < 0.0001). Most prosthodontists (82%) use implant-supported prostheses in their practices, but most of the implants are placed by non-prosthodontists. There is general satisfaction with implant placement regardless of the specialty of the practitioner placing the implants. Younger prosthodontists expressed a greater desire to surgically place implants but were not statistically more likely to do so.