Table 4.

Themes and findings from face-to-face interviews

Themes	Results
Importance of preserving tooth	• Participants (RCT: 80.9%; DI: 89.4%) emphasised the importance of tooth preservation both before and after treatment; however, they expressed regret over not having provided adequate care, acknowledged a fear of tooth loss, and became aware of their need for improved care.
Dentist visits	• Only a small proportion of participants reported routine dental visits prior to treatment (RCT: 19%; DI: 10.5%). • Most patients tend to seek dental care only when experiencing noticeable problems or pain.
Treatment costs	• Patients tend to prefer retaining their natural teeth over opting for implants, primarily due to the high cost of implant treatment. • The presence of insurance coverage for root canal treatment (RCT) statistically significantly influences this decision.• Consequently, RCT is often considered before proceeding with dental implants (DI).
Physical pain	Dental implant (DI) and Postoperative period • Preoperative tooth pain is alleviated following the procedure.• Analgesics are required for a few days post-surgery.• The postoperative recovery period is generally brief. Root canal treatment (RCT) and postoperative period • Complete resolution of pain is achieved.• No medication is needed; only mild sensitivity is experienced for two days post-treatment.
Psychological discomfort	• Patients who undergo dental implant (DI) treatment tend to be cautious about protecting the implant and often express concerns regarding potential fracture or discoloration. • Patients who receive root canal treatment (RCT) report satisfaction with the preservation of their natural teeth.• RCT recipients generally prefer endodontic therapy over more invasive surgical interventions such as extractions or implants. • A subset of patients express anxiety about the possibility of recurrent pain following RCT.• The psychological impact of treatment should be carefully evaluated prior to initiating any dental intervention.
Esthetics	• Patients who underwent dental implant (DI) treatment reported increased self-confidence and perceived positive aesthetic improvements. • Patients who received root canal treatment (RCT) noted enhanced aesthetics following the replacement of discolored or amalgam restorations. • While patients adapted quickly to the appearance of endodontically treated teeth, adjustment to the aesthetics of implant-supported restorations required more time. • The intraoral position of the implant or natural tooth statistically significantly influenced overall patient satisfaction.
Function	• The RCT group reported experiencing pain upon pressure application while eating with the affected tooth; however, post-treatment, they achieved comfortable eating and drinking. • The DI group rarely encountered loosening or detachment of implant components and expressed satisfaction due to the restored function in the edentulous area. • Overall, patients reported comfort in eating and drinking comparable to that with their natural teeth.
Treatment satisfaction	• The majority of participants expressed satisfaction with the treatment outcomes, perceiving the restored teeth as comparable to their natural dentition. • The DI group reported minor issues such as prosthesis dislodgement and food impaction.• The RCT group experienced mild postoperative pain following treatment.