New research reveals hidden challenges faced by people with tooth loss and dentures

The hidden challenges facing people with tooth loss and dentures have been identified by new research from the University of Sheffield.

Improvements in dental care, more people living longer, and the social value placed on having a healthy smile have led to people keeping their teeth longer, but have also led to an increasing number of people needing some sort of restorative work, such as crowns , bridges and implants.

Many of these treatments remain impossible for most people due to the availability of NHS dentists and the high cost of private dental work. Removable dentures are often the only viable option for anyone experiencing tooth loss with around 10 to 15 percent of the population wearing them.

A new study by researchers at the University of Sheffield’s Healthy Life Span Institute and School of Clinical Dentistry has highlighted the emotional difficulties and hidden challenges patients face when fitting dentures. This is the first study to map the patient journey and how that experience can impact overall treatment success.

The study found that patients think about their denture journey in four stages:

• Tooth loss: This is the initial stage where patients experience the natural loss of teeth.

• The Emotional Tunnel: This stage focuses on the emotional roller coaster of tooth loss. Patients experience self-consciousness, depression and struggle with dentures. They may feel shame, anger or fear, but also hope.

• Prosthetic Hope: This stage represents the hope and optimism that patients feel when receiving dentures. They can expect to regain their smile and ability to eat normally.

• Denture compromise leading to disclosure management: This final stage recognizes that dentures take some getting used to. Patients may need to adjust their expectations and learn how to manage speaking and eating with dentures. They may also develop strategies to feel comfortable disclosing their denture use to others.

These emotions and how dentists understand and manage them can affect patient outcomes. Dentist empathy during this adjustment period is critical to successful denture wear and best patient outcomes.

The study also found that wearing removable dentures can be a hidden disability for many. People with dentures feel they have to hide them because of embarrassment or worry that they will fall out. Some patients also avoided social situations

Losing teeth can be extremely traumatic, and this study revealed just how difficult it is for people who need partial dentures. Feelings such as embarrassment or shame can significantly affect the process of making and fitting dentures. In addition, if they don’t fit properly, this can make everyday activities such as talking, eating and drinking very difficult, which affects a person’s quality of life. The impact can be so dramatic that it can affect their confidence to leave home. This can have devastating and lasting effects.

Understanding the emotional difficulties identified in the study will help dentists improve the care provided to patients with dentures and lead to a more successful and better experience for everyone.”

Barry Gibson, Principal Investigator, Professor of Medical Sociology, University of Sheffield

The research team worked with local Sheffield artist Gina Allen to create an artwork that reflects the varied emotional journeys of denture wearers.

The image is a collage depicting the kind of journeys patients go through from tooth loss to living with a denture. It uses color to depict the emotional nature of the journey and demonstrates that all patients have a unique journey and outcome from the experience. One patient, a young woman, has a successful outcome. a middle aged one is fine, but a bit ‘Meh!’ An elderly woman continues to struggle to cope with certain aspects of fitting into her dentures.

Artist Gina Allen said “I am a visual artist with a scientific background and a particular interest in how art can help explore and interpret data, often around social and environmental issues. It seemed to me that there was such depth and variety of individual experiences captured by the research team on this project, so it was a really interesting challenge to be a part of, trying to use the visual parameters of an artwork to convey some of that in an engaging and meaningful way.”

This collaboration has influenced the development of a new patient questionnaire designed to:

• Identify individual needs: Tailor care based on specific patient experiences.
• Improve communication: Enable dentists and patients to have open conversations about dentures.
• Enable follow-up: Identify patients who may need additional support.

In addition to identifying the emotional challenges faced by patients, the study also highlights the need for a clinical care pathway to improve patient support, focus on improving denture fit, educate patients on denture care and combating the shame and stigma associated with wearing dentures.

Mr. Bilal El-Dhuwaib, Clinical Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry at the University of Sheffield, said: “This study is important because it goes beyond the typical numbers-based approach to dentistry by looking at critical aspects of patients’ emotions and lived experiences. understanding the psychological and social impact of tooth loss and replacement, the research provides a valuable toolbox for me and fellow dentists to better understand and address the emotional RV patients navigate during this process Equipping dentists with the tools to understand these challenges, we can create a more compassionate and effective approach to tooth replacement.

The research team is seeking further funding to validate the questionnaire and develop a comprehensive clinical pathway for denture care. This pathway aims to improve patient outcomes and address the hidden struggles faced by denture wearers.

This study, published in The Journal of Dentistry sponsored by global consumer health company Haleon.