Impact of dentures on patient quality of life
New denture wearers can face a difficult transition1–5
New patients may have unrealistic expectations for their new dentures,1 and the transition from natural teeth can be traumatic.2
The personal impact of dentures
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Impact on relationships
Up to 67% of full denture wearers have denture stomatitis4
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Trapped food
Entrapped food particles can cause pain and irritation.5
86% found entrapped food to be their most important denture issue.6
Impact of dentures on patients: how the transition to dentures can be traumatic
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The trauma of tooth extraction
Tooth extraction can be traumatic for patients and often results in accelerated bone resorption.2
32% experienced reduction in bone horizontal dimension ≤3 months after extraction.7
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Discomfort of immediate dentures
Immediate dentures play an important role:
- Aesthetic, psychological and functional reasons
- Bandage and protect extraction wounds2
- Prevent bleeding2
But the transition can be challenging for patients:
- Changes in denture fit and comfort2
- Poor retention1
Key challenges facing the new denture patient:
- Discomfort
- The psychological impact of tooth loss, which increases in impact with the number of teeth lost
- Accepting that removable dentures do not provide the same functional benefit as natural teeth
- Reduction in quality of life: avoiding particular foods, difficulty relaxing, avoidance of social situations
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Further mobility and tooth loss associated with partial dentures can affect quality of life8–10
In the 2009 Adult Dental Health Survey, patients who reported the greatest problems with their dental condition in terms of quality of life were those with a combination of natural teeth and dentures.8
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Impact of excessive functional forces
Excessive functional forces on natural teeth may cause further mobility and tooth loss.11,12
Up to 30% of natural teeth abutting dentures demonstrated increased mobility.*9
- Retentive clasps may be unsuitable or lose retention over time13
- Retention may become more dependent upon the mucosa and muscular control13
*In a longitudinal study
Patients brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste should remove the partial denture first.
Helping your patients on their journey to optimal denture care
Causes and mechanisms
Find out more about the factors that can limit denture performance and compromise hygiene
