The impact of tooth loss as well as the impact of therapy is based upon on the disabilities that the patient has experienced.  This can affect the following outcomes: quality of life, patient satisfaction, and self esteem.  Although it is difficult, and not generally within the legal “scope of practice” for dental professionals to assess the psychological implications of tooth loss, it is part of the dental professional’s duty to prepare the patient for the possible psychological challenges associated with tooth loss.

“I think anybody will tell you that tooth loss can be upsetting,” says Shirley Brown DMD, PhD, a dentist who practiced for 25 years before moving into psychology full-time.  Researchers have reported diminished feelings of masculinity or femininity, impending doom; or fear that other people will feel that they will be perceived as older by others, feeling that they have aged, or that they have diminished strength and vitality, and are depressed.  When it comes to younger people, “tooth loss can be harder,” says Dr. Brown, “because they consider it to be ‘abnormal.”

There are also a number of concomitant social concerns reported by patients who wear dentures:

Dentures coming loose or “flying out”

Traditional dentures ‘float’ on the gums.  Sometimes just a sudden movement, such as laughing, coughing or sneezing, will dislodge them.

Denture  adhesives

Adhesives are necessary to help keep dentures in place.  Not only does denture adhesive taste bad, it interferes with the taste and enjoyment of food.  Research has shown that denture adhesive may also contribute to nervous system problems.

Facial changes

Wrinkles occur from loss of bone and tissue surrounding the teeth.  This bone is necessary to support the delicate muscles of the face.  Many people think these facial changes with tooth loss are the result of loss of mass with the tooth loss.  The reality is however that most of the change is the atrophy, or wasting, of the mass of facial muscles that is associated with lower biting ability.  People with dentures often chew with a little as 5% of their original biting force–no wonder they chew through common foods!

With proper restoration, usually with dental implant supported bridges, implant overdentures, or implanted retained dentures, thesechanges can be dramatically improved.

Eating at restaurants

Patients often report that they are fearful about the ability to actually chew food.  This can be difficult to deal with in front of friends and loved ones, especially in social situations or public places.

Pain

Ill-fitting dentures can rub against tender gum tissues causing painful sores or lesions.

Lower self-esteem

Statistics have shown that patients who wear dentures have greater feelings of reduced beauty, a diminished sense of well-being, and lower self-confidence.

And consider these alarming facts:

• 20% of edentulous (without teeth) patients don’t wear both removable dentures all the time.
• 7% of edentulous patients are not able to wear their dentures at all.
• 88% of denture wearers have difficulty with speech.
• 62.5% of mandibular (lower) denture wearers had awareness of denture movement while speaking.
• 50% of denture wearers avoided certain foods.
• 17% of denture wearers masticated better without prosthesis.
• 16.5% of mandibular denture wearers NEVER wear their denture.

• Will Your Cheeks Sink In?–Tooth Loss and Facial Aging
• Health Hazards of Tooth Loss and Long-Term Denture Use
• Tooth Loss & Dentures–Associated Disabilties–Report from Naperville Implant Dentist
• Danger of Tooth Loss –Aging, Wrinkles, Life Span, Nutrition– Dental Implants & Dentures
• Problems with Dentures–Dental Implants & Bone