Hidden challenges of tooth loss and dentures revealed in new study

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 it has also led to an increasing number of people needing some kind of restoration work, including crowns, bridges and implants.

Many of these treatments remain unobtainable 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 an estimated 10 to 15 per cent of the population wearing them.

A study by researchers at the University of Sheffield’s Healthy Life Span Institute and the School of Clinical Dentistry has highlighted the emotional struggles and hidden challenges patients experience when having dentures fitted. This is the first study to map out the patient journey and how this experience can affect the overall success of the treatment.