Perception of Patients of their Quality of Life after Dental Implant Therapy
Ata Mohamad Neto, Renato Valiati, Lilia AparecidaKanan, Bruna Fernanda da Silva, Anelise Viapiana Masiero

Abstract
This study aimed to identify individuals’ perception of their quality of life after placement of dental implants. It is a qualitative survey carried out with 14 patients. A semi-structured guide with six questions based on the domains of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) was used. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed according to the content analysis method. From the data analysis, four categories emerged. In the first category, named “Functional Limitation”, the respondents mainly reported difficulty chewing and pronouncing words. For the second category, “Physical Pain”, they frequently reported spontaneous pains or when chewing. The third category is related to “Psychological and Social Discomfort” with reports of moments of embarrassment, anxiety, despair and shame. In the last category, “Relation of Implants with the Quality of Life”, the interviewees mentioned improved chewing ability, relief of discomfort and pain, and improvement in aesthetics and self-esteem. The findings of the present study demonstrate the importance of understanding the subjective aspects relating to missing teeth and oral rehabilitation and the perception that an individual has of how much these aspects impact on their quality of life and well-being.

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