Factors Affecting Demand for Dental Implant Treatment: A Population-based Study in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

Background Dental implants have improved the quality of life of patients by providing a more acceptable and durable replacement for missing teeth. The knowledge and awareness of patients regarding dental implants, as well as other influencing factors, such as age, gender, and academic level, affect their demand for implant treatment. Objectives This study aimed to assess the factors affecting the demand for dental implant treatment in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A self-designed, close-ended, and validated questionnaire was distributed to 1,182 participants in this observational cross-sectional study from different cities in the Western region. A total of 834 respondents completed the survey and met the inclusion criteria with 70.55% response rate. A total of 20 questions related to demographic data, implant awareness, and implant demand were included in the survey. The responses were analyzed using spreadsheet software (Statistical Package for Social Sciences, SPSS version 27). The frequency distribution of the responses of the participants was calculated, and the results were drawn. A chi-square test was applied to compare the reported outcomes. Results Demographic data showed an equal contribution from both genders, as 50.5% of the sample were male and 49.5% were female. Most of the participants’ ages ranged from 30 to 49 years (44.5%). The majority of the sample had a bachelor’s degree (52.9%). Almost half of the participants (57%) believed that they had fair dental hygiene. Most of the participants were missing between one and three teeth (66.7%). Forty-one percent of the participants had never replaced their missing teeth. This study revealed that most of the contributors (64.8%) knew about dental implants as a treatment option, and social media was the most statistically significant source of this knowledge (36.7%) (p = 0.011). However, their knowledge of this topic was limited, as 78.2% believed they needed more awareness regarding dental implants. Only 17% of the sample had replaced their missing teeth with dental implants, with a statistically significant gender difference in demand where females reported higher demand than males (p = 0.003). The financial burden was the most significant reason (p = 0.001) not to consider dental implants (42%). On the other hand, the main reason that participants reported having considered implants was to improve the ability of mastication (51%), and this finding was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Conclusion The results of the study show that the need to improve mastication was the main reason for the demand for dental implants. On the other hand, the cost was the main reason that participants did not consider dental implants. In general, people in the western region of Saudi Arabia are aware of dental implants. However, there is a need to increase their knowledge about dental implants as a treatment option to replace missing teeth.