Adapting to life with removable dentures in Japan: A qualitative study of patients' daily experiences

Tooth loss affects not only oral function but also sociopsychological well-being. Although quantitative studies have assessed these effects, patients' subjective experiences remain underexplored. This study qualitatively described the daily denture adaptation process, identifying difficulties, coping strategies, and the dentists' role in providing foundational knowledge for patient support.

Using reflexive thematic analysis, 11 participants (aged 18+) with current or past denture experience were recruited from a domiciliary dental clinic. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews.

Five themes describing the post-delivery adaptation process emerged. The participants initially experienced social difficulties owing to unfamiliar "foreign body" sensations. Through psychological acceptance and physical trial-and-error, they developed a subjective sense of adaptation. The findings revealed that patients do not merely modify food choices, but actively engage in self-training, such as adjusting denture positioning and fine-tuning physical sensations at home. A trusting relationship with dental professionals functioned as a continuous resource supporting this process rather than just a satisfaction factor. Specifically, a secure environment for communicating symptoms is essential for developing a sense of subjective fit that is distinct from objective clinical fit.

Denture adaptation is a temporal process that transitions from unfamiliarity to a subjective sense of fit. Trusting relationships with clinicians serve as the foundation for both psychological and physical adaptation.

This paper underscores the necessity of individualized support that addresses the patient's subjective adjustment in removable dentures. Effective patient support requires fostering trust and providing individualized guidance to facilitate subjective comfort.