Healthcare, UK (Commonwealth Union) – New research from the University of Sheffield has identified the hidden challenges faced by people with tooth loss and dentures.
Researchers of the study pointed out that while improvements in dental care, increased longevity, and the social value of a healthy smile have led to more people retaining their natural teeth longer, there has also been a rise in the need for restorative work such as crowns, bridges, and implants. However, these treatments often remain inaccessible to many due to the limited availability of NHS dentists and the high cost of private dental care. Consequently, removable dentures are frequently the only viable choice for those having to go through tooth loss, with an estimated 10 to 15 percent of the population who utilize them.
The recent study by researchers conducted at the University of Sheffield’s Healthy Lifespan Institute and the School of Clinical Dentistry has brought to light the emotional struggles and hidden challenges patients face when fitted with dentures. This pioneering study is the first to map out the patient journey and examine how these experiences can influence the overall positive outcomes of the treatment.
The study found that patients perceive their denture journey in four stages. The first stage, Tooth Loss, involves the initial physical loss of teeth. The second stage, referred to as The Emotional Tunnel, captures the emotional turbulence patients experience, including self-consciousness, depression, and struggles with dentures, alongside feelings of shame, anger, fear, and hope. The third stage, Prosthetic Hope, signifies the optimism and anticipation patients feel about regaining their smile and normal eating abilities through dentures. The final stage, Prosthetic Compromise leading to Managing Disclosure, acknowledges the adjustment period required for getting used to dentures. During this stage, patients often need to manage their expectations and learn to navigate speaking and eating with dentures, while also developing strategies to comfortably telling others of their denture use.
The research indicated that these emotions, along with how dentists understand and address them, can significantly impact patient outcomes. The empathy shown by a dentist during this adjustment period is vital for the successful use of dentures and improved patient results.
The study also revealed that wearing removable dentures can be a hidden disability for many individuals. Denture wearers often feel compelled to conceal them due to embarrassment or fear that they might fall out. Some patients even avoid social interactions.
Lead researcher Barry Gibson, Professor of Medical Sociology at the University of Sheffield, indicated that tooth loss can be extremely traumatic, and this study has highlighted the significant challenges faced by individuals requiring partial dentures. Emotions such as embarrassment or shame can greatly influence the process of making and fitting dentures. Moreover, if dentures do not fit well, they can make daily activities like speaking, eating, and drinking very difficult, which negatively impacts a person’s quality of life. The effect can be so profound that it diminishes their confidence to leave the house, resulting in a severe and lasting impact.
“Understanding the emotional difficulties identified in the study will help dentists to improve the care given to denture patients and lead to a more successful and better experience for everyone” he said.
The research team collaborated with Sheffield-based artist Gina Allen to develop an art piece capturing the varied emotional experiences of individuals wearing dentures. The artwork, a collage, visually represents the different stages patients go through, from tooth loss to life with a denture. Utilizing color to convey the emotional essence of the journey, it emphasizes that each patient has a distinctive experience and outcome. One young woman finds success, while a middle-aged man feels somewhat indifferent. In contrast, an elderly woman continues to face challenges in adjusting to her denture.
“I’m a visual artist with a science background and a particular interest in how art can help to explore and interpret data, often around social and environmental themes. It seemed to me that there was such a depth and variety of individual experiences captured by the research team on this project, so it was a really interesting challenge to be involved in, trying to use the visual parameters of an artwork to convey some of that in an engaging and meaningful way,” explained Artist Gina Allen.
