Insight and Thoughts of Clinical Undergraduate Dental Professional Students Towards Dental Implants for Replacement of Missing Teeth: A Preliminary Study

Background: Dental implants have emerged as a popular choice for replacing lost teeth, underscoring the necessity for aspiring dentists to be well-informed and ready.Assessing clinical undergraduate dental students' perceptions, understanding, and attitudes regarding dental implants at Narayana Dental College and Hospital in Nellore, India, was the goal of this study.Procedures: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 350 randomly chosen 20-30-year-old, third-, final-, and intern students.A standardized, self-administered questionnaire modified from earlier, verified research was used to gather data.The survey evaluated demographic information, perceptions, knowledge, and perceived obstacles related to implant dentistry.Descriptive statistics and percentage distribution were used in the statistical analysis, with significance set at p < 0.05.Findings: Although awareness of dental implants as a treatment option varied by academic year, most students were aware of them.Many students thought that receiving treatment for implants was difficult and required a lot of upkeep.Longevity and durability were often mentioned benefits, while limited clinical exposure and budgetary limitations were noted as significant drawbacks. Conclusion:Although there was sufficient general knowledge about dental implants, undergraduate dental curriculum should include more clinical exposure and structured implant teaching to boost students' confidence and preparedness for clinical practice.