Patterns of Prosthetic Treatment Modalities in Implant Dentistry in a Saudi Population

Aim:The aim of this study was to detect and describe the patterns of implant prosthetic treatment modalities placed in partially and fully edentulous Saudi patients restored with dental implants in Saudi Arabia, and to detect the status of the health insurance covering dental implants in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: 520 Saudi patients aged ≥18 years residing in Saudi Arabia and treated with at least one dental implant done in dental health premises in Saudi Arabia were randomly included in the study. Clinical and radiographic examination were used to detect implant prostheses types (single-tooth implant, implant-supported long or short span conventional fixed bridge, implant overdenture). The health insurance covering dental implants was detected too. The data obtained including age, gender, systemic disease, and tobacco smoking were documented in a patient examination form then statistically analyzed using Chi-Square Test and U-Test. Results: The most frequently tooth type replaced by dental implants was the molars (45.5%), followed by premolars (40%), incisors (7.7%), and canines (6.8%); mandibular first molars were the most common tooth type replaced by implants. Single-tooth implant was the most common prosthetic treatment modality (85.2%), followed by implant-supported short span conventional fixed bridge (9.8%), implant overdenture (2.8%), and implant-supported long span conventional fixed bridge (2.2%). The majority of implant overdenture prostheses were seen in the age group ≥ 60 years. Implant-supported long span fixed bridge prostheses were more in patients aged ≥ 50 years than in patients aged < 50 years, while single-tooth implant prostheses were more in patients aged < 50 years than in patients aged ≥ 50 years. Of all teeth types replaced by dental implants, molars were the most common type seen in implant-supported long span fixed bridges and in single-tooth implants, whereas canines were the most common type seen in overdentures. There was an insignificant difference in the median number of dental implants between males and females. Conclusion: Single-tooth implant is major. Health insurance policy doesn’t cover dental implants in Saudi Arabia. Keywords: Implant, Modalities, Prostheses/Prosthetic, Type