Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of implant recommendation by general dental practitioners to patients who had extractions as a result of periodontal disease and factors that influenced their decisions.
Materials and methods: Dentists in each of 20 general dental practice centers in Kuwait were asked to document replacement options given to patients after all tooth extractions performed for periodontal reasons within a 30-day period. The association of demographic and medical/dental history variables with the decision to recommend an implant was statistically tested.
Results: A total of 711 patients with a mean age +/- of 47.34 +/- 0.45 years (range 18-96) had 2202 teeth extracted for periodontal reasons during the study period. Only 21 implants for 12 patients were offered as a replacement option (1.7%). Factors significantly associated with a less likelihood of implant recommendation included older age, male gender, diabetes mellitus, inadequate compliance with regular periodontal maintenance visits, inadequate oral hygiene practices, and anterior tooth types (P < 0.05; chi test).
Conclusion: Dental implants were rarely recommended to patients losing their teeth for periodontal reasons by general dentists in Kuwait.