Patients' Experiences and Satisfaction With Immediate-Loaded Zygomatic Implant Fixed Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain an in-depth understanding of patients' perspectives, their experiences and satisfaction with immediate-loaded zygomatic implant (ILZI) fixed rehabilitation. METHODS: This qualitative study employed interpretive descriptive methodology and was conducted as the second phase of our previous quantitative study on patient-reported outcomes with ILZI fixed rehabilitation. An adapted version of Pernerger's model of patient satisfaction and the patient experience framework by Oben were used as theoretical frameworks for the study. Purposive sampling with maximum variation was used to select participants from Phase 1 of the study, and others aged over 18 years with completely edentulous atrophic maxilla who had received ILZI rehabilitation. In-depth, 40 to 60-min face-to-face or telephone interviews were conducted using an interview guide until data saturation was reached. The interviews were recorded with an audio recorder and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis included transcription, debriefing, coding, thematic analysis, triangulation, and interpretation. RESULTS: Thirteen participants were interviewed (mean age, 68.2 ± 7.41 years). Drawing from the study's conceptual frameworks, four major themes were identified: Tooth loss experience, Handling the burden of maxillary atrophy, The choice of immediate-loaded zygomatic implant rehabilitation and Satisfaction with immediate-loaded zygomatic implants. Participants expressed positive experiences with the rehabilitation, high satisfaction, favorable functional and psychosocial outcomes and strong clinician-patient relationships. CONCLUSION: The study findings provide insights into ILZI fixed rehabilitation from the patient's perspective that can inform treatment planning and shared decision-making for individuals with atrophic edentulous maxilla.