Patients' Experiences With Complete Tooth Loss and Conventional Complete Dentures Use: A Phenomenological Study

To explore the in-depth experiences of individuals who have lived with edentulism and have long-term experience with conventional complete dentures.

With the global rise in ageing populations, complete tooth loss (edentulism) and the subsequent use of dental prostheses have become increasingly common. Understanding the lived experiences of edentulous patients treated with conventional dentures is essential for dental professionals to provide personalised and empathetic care.

This qualitative study employed an interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach. Completely edentulous participants with long-term experience of using conventional complete dentures were recruited. Data were collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews that were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to identify key patterns and meanings across the participants' narratives.

Twelve participants expressed varied emotional and functional responses to edentulism. Some attributed their tooth loss to dental professionals, whereas others held themselves or their families responsible. Edentulism significantly affected oral function and social engagement. While several participants developed coping strategies to address the discomfort and limitations of conventional dentures, others perceived the dentures as beneficial, citing enhanced self-image and improved chewing ability. Two main themes emerged: the long experience of tooth loss and experience of conventional complete dentures.

This study contributes important insights for completely edentulous patients, conventional denture wearers and oral health practitioners into the complex emotional and functional dimensions of edentulism and denture use. The findings emphasise the value of patient-centred care approaches that account for individual coping strategies, personal narratives and long-term experiences with prosthetic rehabilitation.