AWARENESS TO CONSEQUENCES OF MISSING TEETH AND PROSTHODONTIC TREATMENT MODALITIES IN PARTIALLY DENTATE PATIENTS REPORTING FOR DENTAL EXTRACTION.

The aim of the study was to determine the level of awareness of patients regarding both the consequences of missing teeth and prosthodontic treatment options. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 225 partially dentate patients in dental out-patient department, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar from January 2013 to February 2015 by using consecutive non-probability sampling. Females (60.9%) reported more than males (39.1%). Majority of the subjects (81.3%) were unaware of consequences of missing teeth. Similarly 82.2% of the participants were unaware of the treatment options for replace-ment of missing teeth and those who were aware of the treatment options, only 4.4% knew about the fixed restorations, 6.7% were aware of the removable prosthesis and 0.4% for implant. This study will highlight the role of dentist in educating patients about prosthodontic treatment options and consequences of missing teeth at the time of dental extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]