A descriptive medical analysis of patients receiving dental implants in private practice over a 5-year period

© 2016 Stephen John Brinsmead AustinBackground The population seeking implants in private practice is a demographically and medically diverse group. A fuller understanding of the medical conditions affecting this population can optimise treatment planning and service delivery, as well as focus the informed consent process. Objectives 1. To conduct a retrospective cohort study reviewing and describing the medical and demographic data of patients seeking implants in private dental practices over a five-year period in Victoria, Australia. 2. To create an evidence based clinical picture of the medical background of the typical patient seeking dental implants in the private practice setting. Material and Methods Privately practicing dental clinicians were invited to participate in the study. Data were collected pertaining to 4,116 patients who met the inclusion criterion of at least one implant placed or restored within the study period of 1st of January 2005 to 31st of December 2009. Information was collected regarding: clinician demographics; patient demographics, co-morbidities and oral status; surgical procedure; implant details; restoration details; and any complication details. Descriptive statistics and frequency analyses were conducted to describe the population with respect to patient demographics, comorbidities and medication usage. Results Demographic data relating to age and gender were obtained. Common comorbidities, their prevalence and associated medications were defined where possible. The most common age group to receive implant therapy was between 51 and 60 years (30.4% of patients). A broad range of co-morbidities was reported, including psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular disorders and diabetes. Smoking tobacco was more prevalent amongst the study population than any prescribed pharmaceutical agent. Conclusion Over 70% of all implant patients in this study were aged between 41 and 70 years of age. This period of life is associated with a diverse group of medical conditions and pharmacological therapies that often increase in prevalence with age. Clinicians must be familiar with their target demographic, understand the common comorbidities amongst this patient group and be conscious of how their presence can influence clinical decision making and outcomes. This facilitates treatment planning founded on individualised risk / benefit stratification and informed consent, and a surgical plan that is executed in the setting of patient specific peri-operative optimisation and follow up