title: Dental implants in the functionally impaired: experience from the patients' perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Edentulousness has a great impact on the individual. Extensive tooth loss is more common among functionally impaired individuals. Such groups may have difficulties with removable prostheses. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore functionally impaired patients' experience of receiving and living with dental implants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen patients with several types of functional impairment who had undergone treatment with dental implants were interviewed. Analysis of the open-ended questions was inspired by grounded theory methodology and began at the first interview, proceeding in parallel until no further relevant information could be obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  'The implant treatment is a process of normalization' was identified as the core category. It was related to four other categories: 'The functionally impaired are also entitled to dental care', 'Edentulousness is a burden for functionally impaired individuals', 'There is interaction between implant treatment and other aspects of life' and 'It is important to understand the implications of implant treatment'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Normalization was the motivation for implant treatment. Edentulousness had enhanced the feeling of being different and treatment with dental implants was important for well-being. The experience of the treatment process was linked to circumstances of life. Information about procedure, alternative prosthetic constructions and hygiene routines was crucial to the experience and the outcome of the treatment.
authors: The Swedish National Dental Health Service , Norrbotten County Council, Luleå, Sweden. angelika.lantto@nll.se
authors: Angelika
authors: A
authors: Lantto
authors: Inger
authors: I
authors: Wårdh
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants