title: A qualitative analysis on participants' perspectives on oral implants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quantitative research methods provide clinicians with information about the effectiveness of interventions and determined causal-effect relationships, whereas qualitative research investigates other aspects of clinical implant practice, particularly the participants' perspectives and expectations. The aim of the qualitative study was to understand the experience of participants with immediate single molar implants.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-depth, audiorecorded, semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 participants who had participated in a controlled clinical trial of immediate molar implants. Participants were aged 36-77 years. Nine participants received single implants in mandibular molar fresh extraction sockets while the remaining participants had their implants in healed sites. The interviews that assessed participants' perspectives of the pre-operative, operative, and postoperative phases of therapy were transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive and content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants took part in the clinical trial mainly because it offered oral implant therapy at a reduced cost. The affordability of implant treatment was the main factor in determining restorative options. Minimal differences were found between male and female participants of different age groups in terms of their perceptions of function and aesthetics. However, single molar implants did not have an impact on aesthetics and self-esteem. Participants' expectations regarding the longevity of oral implants were not realistic and their knowledge about future maintenance needs was not adequate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using face-to-face verbal conversation more frequently may improve communication between clinicians and participants and minimize misunderstanding about the procedures of different treatment modalities. Special emphasis should be placed on understanding the importance of maintenance by spending more time with the participants to identify any future barriers to maintaining good outcomes of oral implants.
authors.affiliation: Oral Implantology Research Group, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, School of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Momen A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Atieh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Social Work and Public Health, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Kate C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Morgaine
authors.affiliation: Oral Implantology Research Group, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, School of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Warwick J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Duncan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants
keywords: dental implants; interview; qualitative research; tooth loss