Satisfaction Level among Patients Treated with Fixed Dental Prosthesis in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Dental treatment aims at correction of existing disease; prevention of future diseasewith rehabilitation of patient’s lost functional capacity and aesthetics. Fixed dental prosthesis is anyprosthesis that is cemented to a natural tooth or dental implants abutments that cannot be removedby patient. The success of prosthodontic treatment is related to prosthesis survival, with its ability tofulfil biologic and patient-evaluated objectives with patient satisfaction. This study is aimed to findthe patient satisfaction with fixed prosthodontic treatment. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done in a tertiary care hospital among 102patients rehabilitated with fixed dental prosthesis from August to September 2019 after takingethical approval from Institutional Review Committee of Kathmandu Medical College. (IRC No.1207201918). Convenience sampling was done. The questionnaire assessed patient’s satisfaction offixed prosthesis on the basis of appearance, chewing ability, cleansibility, speech and awarenessof oral hygiene measures for cleaning of the prosthesis. Data entry was done in Microsoft exceland analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)version 20.0, point estimate at 95%Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: The majority of the patients 87 (85.3%) were satisfied with their fixed prosthesis, at 95%confidence interval (93.5- 81%). Eighty one (79.4%) were satisfied with their chewing ability; 99(97.1%) satisfied with their speech, 78 (76.4%) satisfied with appearance of fixed prosthesis. Ninetyeight patients (96.1%) were aware of oral hygiene measures, out of which only 66 (67.3%) usedinterdental aids for cleaning of their fixed prosthesis. Conclusions: Several factors (chewing ability, appearance, speech, cleansibility of fixed prosthesis)had positive impact on overall satisfaction in majority of the patients. Dentists should continue toemphasise on the significance of maintaining good oral hygiene and use of interdental aids for thelongevity of fixed prosthesis.