Dental implants in the functionally impaired: experience from the patients' perspective

Abstract

Objective. Edentulousness has a great impact on the individual. Extensive tooth loss is more common among functionally impaired individuals. Such groups may have difficulties with removable prostheses. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore functionally impaired patients' experience of receiving and living with dental implants. Materials and methods. Seventeen patients with several types of functional impairment who had undergone treatment with dental implants were interviewed. Analysis of the open-ended questions was inspired by grounded theory methodology and began at the first interview, proceeding in parallel until no further relevant information could be obtained. Results. ‘The implant treatment is a process of normalization' was identified as the core category. It was related to four other categories: ‘The functionally impaired are also entitled to dental care', ‘Edentulousness is a burden for functionally impaired individuals', ‘There is interaction between implant treatment and other aspects of life' and ‘It is important to understand the implications of implant treatment'. Conclusions. Normalization was the motivation for implant treatment. Edentulousness had enhanced the feeling of being different and treatment with dental implants was important for well-being. The experience of the treatment process was linked to circumstances of life. Information about procedure, alternative prosthetic constructions and hygiene routines was crucial to the experience and the outcome of the treatment.

Key Words::

• edentulousness
• functionally impaired
• qualitative research
• rehabilitation
• well-being

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to all the informants and their representatives, who gave of their time and personal commitment to the study. We also thank the Department of Oral Surgery at Sunderby Hospital in Luleå and the IT staff at The Swedish National Dental Health Service in Norrbotten for support with the patient register. The study was supported by the Research and Development Council of the County of Norrbotten and by The Swedish National Dental Health Service in Norrbotten.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.