The role of personality in the management of partial dentures

A sample of fifty-three partially dentate subjects who had had partial dentures provided in the last 3 years completed a personality questionnaire (Cattell's 16 PFQ). At the same time they completed a clinical questionnaire and were examined by two of the authors. The purpose of this was to assess the patients' satisfaction with their partial dentures. The results of the personality questionnaire showed that this group of partial denture wearers differed from the general population on only two factors. They were less intelligent and more self-sufficient. Interestingly they differed from a similar group of complete denture wearers on a further three factors. The partial denture group were more self-assured, self-sufficient and more relaxed. On the basis of the clinical questionnaire and examination, five partially dentate patients were found to be dissatisfied. Their personality scores were significantly more unstable than the satisfied group of partial denture wearers. Although based on a relatively small group, the results do suggest that personality may have a marked effect on the patients' adaption to partial dentures. When compared to a similar group of edentulous patients, marked differences were found, suggesting that the loss of the natural teeth in some individuals affects behaviour.