Evaluation of planning preferences and treatment selection criteria of general dentists and specialist dentists in dental implantology

Objective: With the prepared questionnaire, dentists in the field of dental implantology; their approach to various cases, how often they resort to advanced surgical techniques, their preferences about implant selection and surgery, how often they prescribe which antibiotics before and after these procedures will be learned. By determining the tendencies of dentists about implantology; how close they are to current procedures, are there differences of opinion between dentists and specialist dentists; If there is, it will be evaluated on which issues there is a difference of opinion. Materials and Methods: The survey was prepared online. Participation has been on a voluntary basis. Dentist associations and societies shared the questionnaire link with their members. The questionnaire consists of 4 parts and a total of 23 questions. Six questions in the first part measure the demographic information and professional experience of physicians. Second part; The preference of physicians in dental implant selection, their choices in surgical stages, and their preferences about the type of radiography they used before and after the procedure were questioned. In the third part; Three questions on maxilla and three questions on mandible sample panoramic radiography were available, and case-based surgical planning preferences of physicians were questioned. In the fourth part, the preference of physicians about antibiotic medication before and after the surgical procedure was questioned. Results: A total of 257 dentists, 153 men and 104 women, participated in our study. Among the participants, 104 were specialist dentists (54 men, 50 women), and 153 were general dentists (99 men, 54 women). The rate of receiving 'paid training' during the professional education of general dentists (63.4%) was statistically significantly higher than that of specialists (28.8%) (p <0.001). The rate of using 'CBCT' in implant surgery planning by specialists (84.6%) was statistically significantly higher than that of general dentists (52.9%) (p <0.001). In cases with 1-2 mm vertical bone height in the maxillary posterior molar region, the preference rate of specialists for 'external sinus lifting' (67.3%) was statistically significantly higher than that of general dentists (44.4%) (p <0.001). In cases with an average of 5-6 mm vertical bone height in the mandibular posterior molar region, the preference rate of specialists for 'all on x' (85.6%) was statistically significantly higher than that of general dentists (64.1%) (p <0.001). The rate of not prescribing antibiotics routinely before implant operations by specialists (79.7%) was statistically significantly higher than that of general dentists (60.7%). Conclusion: The results obtained indicate that there are some differences in preferences and planning methods between the two groups. Following the trainings and current studies in the field of dental implantology and keeping up with the literature will help dentists be knowledgeable about modern techniques and methods, and make decisions based on this information in their practices. We believe that our study will emphasize the importance of differences in professional education, and these differences in treatment planning may have effects on dental implant success and patient satisfaction.