Evaluation of dentists' awareness level about dental implant failures in early period

Introduction and Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the awareness level of dentists about risk factors in order to prevent early implant failure. Materials and Methods: The population of the study consists of 342 (female/male) volunteers aged 26 and over who want to participate. Questionnaire forms consisting of 23 questions, including demographic and occupational data consisting of 5 questions, were filled out by the online survey method. Statistical evaluations of the results are made by frequency analysis and Chi-square test. Results: The majority of dentists (75.1%) stated that they rarely encountered the problem of early implant loss. Seventy percent of the participants think that gender and 46.2% of them think that age is not important in terms of early implant loss. The majority of dentists prescribe amoxicillin (1 g 2x1 post-procedure) mostly (68.4%) to patients in implant surgeries. The rate of those who applied prophylactic antibiotics before the procedure was 22.5%. While the rate of those who mostly and always thought that prophylactic antibiotic therapy was effective in early implant loss was 17.6%, the same rate was 42.7% for postoperative antibiotherapy. The rate of thinking that prophylactic antibiotherapy is effective in preventing early implant loss was found in the periodontology specialist (20.5%) group. Periodontology specialists (23.3%) were the group who thought that the effectiveness of postoperative antibiotherapy was the least in this regard. The history of periodontitis (76.3%) and the development of postoperative complications (73.1%) are seen by dentists as the most influential factors in early implant loss. Participants, think that the most common factors causing early implant loss are diabetes (92.4%), smoking (89.8%) and osteoporosis (78.7%). Moreover, it is thought that early implant loss is observed more frequently in D4 bone and maxilla posterior region. Conclusions: In the light of the results obtained with the research data, the general knowledge level of dentists about early implant loss was found to be sufficient, but it was observed that awareness levels should be increased in some subjects. In terms of some factors, it was determined that there were differences between the fields of specialization. In order to eliminate the differences in knowledge levels among dentists, it is recommended to organize postgraduate vocational training programs and to provide appropriate opportunities in order to easily access the current literature at any time. In addition, before applying dental implant surgery to patients, which systemic diseases they have (diabetes, osteoporosis, etc.), smoking should be questioned and detailed examinations in terms of periodontitis are recommended.