The use of dental implants as a treatment for replacing missing teeth has been increasingly prevalent. Historical evidence suggests that the Mayans were among the first to create implants around 600 AD. Over time, this technique has evolved, offering numerous benefits to humanity. Regardless of the causes of tooth loss and the patient's age, it significantly impacts various aspects of an individual's life, including nutrition, psycho-emotional well-being, and social interactions. One of the primary consequences is the negative effect on self-esteem due to the aesthetic concerns associated with missing teeth. Additionally, pronunciation difficulties can lead to communication challenges, reducing the desire and ability to engage with others. Extensive research in the specialized literature explores the psychological impact of dental implant usage. It is widely acknowledged that the dental implant technique is complex and carries inherent risks and potential adverse effects. An illustrative case serves to underscore the significance of psychological considerations in dental implant treatment. In this instance, a 55-year-old woman attempted suicide by throwing herself down the stairs of her home after receiving dental implants in both sections of her oral cavity. The distress she experienced stemmed from the inability to consume anything beyond fluids and semisolid food for an extended period of eight months. This alarming incident underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing the psychological impact that dental implant procedures can have on vulnerable individuals.
The assessment of suicide risk is a highly debated topic in the literature due to the complex interplay between social, psychological, cultural, and biological factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of self-harm. There is no unanimously accepted predictive model of suicide and no widely recognized evidence-based algorithm for psychiatric and psychological evaluation in clinical and non-clinical populations for early detection of self-harm. Therefore, this narrative review is focused on identifying the validated clinical instruments that may contribute to the construction of a possible screening and monitoring plan for suicide risk in military and civilian populations. Four electronic databases were searched (PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Clarivate/Web of Science) for relevant reports on psychometric tools for detecting suicide risk published between the inception of each archive and January 2025. Seventeen instruments dedicated to the measurement of suicide and suicide-related aspects were reviewed, as well as three tools for the evaluation of depression severity that include specific items for assessing self-harm. The advantages and vulnerabilities of each instrument were assessed, and the particular features of using these tools in the military population were also explored. In conclusion, although a large number of validated instruments for the assessment of suicide risk exist, it is not possible to recommend the use of a single tool, either for clinical and nonclinical populations or for military and civilian personnel. The endeavor of finding an algorithm for the assessment of suicide risk is still far from reaching its end, as new psychometric instruments and possibly a new paradigm for the phenomenon of self-harm are sorely needed.
