A recent study by the University of Sheffield’s Healthy Life Span Institute and School of Clinical Dentistry highlights the profound emotional distress often following tooth loss. The research shows that the psychological impact can be as severe as the physical effects, emphasizing the need for comprehensive care that addresses both emotional and clinical aspects.
This groundbreaking study charts the patient journey and reveals how physical discomfort and psychological distress interplay, affecting dental treatment success. Although advances in dental care are helping people retain their natural teeth longer, the need for restorative procedures like crowns, bridges, and implants remains significant. However, limited access and high costs often make removable dentures the only option for 10 to 15 percent of people with tooth loss.
The study identifies four key stages in the denture experience:
Tooth Loss: The initial emotional impact of losing teeth.
The Emotional Tunnel: A phase of self-consciousness, depression, and fear, tempered by emerging hope.
Prosthetic Hope: Anticipation of restored smile and eating ability with new dentures.
Prosthetic Compromise and Managing Disclosure: Adjusting to life with dentures and managing social disclosure.
Dentists play a crucial role in navigating these emotional stages, with empathy enhancing patient outcomes. The study reveals that removable dentures can act as a hidden disability, often leading to social isolation due to embarrassment or fear of dentures dislodging. Professor Barry Gibson emphasizes that poor-fitting dentures can severely affect daily activities and quality of life, sometimes resulting in long-term psychological impacts.
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