Experiences of Complete Removable Denture Use Among Edentulous Older Adults and Their Family Members: A Qualitative...

To explore how edentulous older adults and their family members experienced the use of complete removable dentures and to examine the meanings they attributed to this rehabilitation in relation to daily life, social participation and perceived quality of life.

Complete removable dentures remain the most common treatment for complete edentulism in public services. Although previous research has extensively documented clinical performance and patient-reported outcomes, less is known about how older adults and their families experience denture use in everyday life. Understanding these experiential and relational dimensions is important for informing more patient-centred prosthetic care.

This interpretive qualitative study was conducted in a public primary healthcare centre in Santiago, Chile. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 50 edentulous adults aged 60 years or older who had received complete removable dentures, and with 36 family members involved in their everyday support. In addition, one focus group was conducted with a purposive subset of older adults to deepen themes identified in the interviews. Audio-recorded data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Four interpretive themes were developed. Complete removable dentures were often experienced as a form of visible recovery, restoring appearance, confidence and ease of communication. At the same time, this recovery remained fragile when denture instability, particularly in the mandible, affected eating, speaking and social interaction. Many participants described daily adaptation through dietary restriction, vigilance and avoidance of potentially embarrassing situations. Family members played an important role by providing practical assistance, emotional support and help in managing meals, routines, and follow-up needs.

For edentulous older adults, complete removable dentures were experienced as more than a technical replacement for missing teeth. While they often improved self-presentation and confidence, their functional limitations frequently sustained social and emotional burden. These findings support prosthetic care models that incorporate follow-up, family involvement and attention to psychosocial adaptation.