Background: The success of implant therapy depends on the proper evaluation of soft and hard tissues around implants, and the careful selection of biomaterials to manage the associated defects. To attain healthy peri-implant tissues, knowledge about evaluating and managing soft and hard tissues around dental implants is essential.
Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge, awareness and attitudes regarding soft and hard tissue considerations for single implant sites among the registered dental implant practitioners.
Material and methods: The current survey was carried out among dental implant practitioners registered with the Indian Dental Association (IDA). A total of 49 specialists practicing implant dentistry for at least 1 year were included in the study. The survey was conducted using a census approach. A validated questionnaire was circulated digitally among the participants, with 3 rounds of follow-up. To fill in the questionnaire, the participants' consent was required.
Results: The study involved 14 general practitioners (GPs), 7 periodontists, 10 oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFSs), 13 prosthodontists, and 5 certified implantologists. The majority of the participants (93.9%) felt that the soft tissue biotype would influence the treatment outcome (p < 0.05). Most of them (91.8%) evaluated the width of hard tissue at the implant site before surgery (p > 0.05), but only 77.6% of the population evaluated the bone width while considering the future prosthesis (p > 0.05). Although all participants placed implants, only 46.9% performed soft tissue augmentation by themselves (p < 0.001), whereas in the case of hard tissue augmentation, the percentage was 65.3% (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: The study identified various knowledge gaps among different practitioners with different educational background. The educational background seemed to have played a significant role in their attitude toward the evaluation and management of soft and hard tissues around dental implants.
Keywords: CDE programs; dental association; dental professionals; dental surgeons; general practitioners.