The Dentist's Preferences on the Treatment of Missing Mandibular Incisors in Patients of Varying Ages

Abstract

Introduction: When mandibular incisor teeth are absent or lost through disease, multiple options for replacement of these teeth are available. It is possible that a patient may receive varying treatment depending on the dentist’s preference for replacing missing mandibular incisors. Objective: The present study was aimed to determine the dentists’ preferences on treatment options to replace missing lower incisors in patients of varying ages. Materials and Methods: Fifty questionnaires together with clinical photographs, a radiograph, and study casts were given to dentists working in the Glasgow Dental Hospital and School and dentists working in a dental clinic in Libya. The questions included in the questionnaire were directed towards the assessment of dentists’ preferences on treatment options to restore missing lower incisors in patients of different ages. Results: For the 18 year old group the most commonly used treatment options were both the use of an adhesive bridge (36%) and a fixed-fixed bridge (36%) although the overall preferred treatment option was the use of a dental implant (68%). Generally, the respondents were in agreement to use the same treatment options for the patient of 40 years old as for the 18 year old (82%). More than half (56%) of the respondents were in agreement to use the same treatment options for the 60 year old patient as for the 18 year old. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study it can be concluded that there was a difference between some of the dentists in the preferred treatment for the replacement of missing incisors in the clinical scenarios presented in this study.