Psychological reactions to edentulousness and treatment with jawbone‐anchored bridges

Abstract

Total edentulousness can lead to chewing problems as well as to feelings of insecurity and inferiority and considerable psycho-social problems. For many people a conventional removable denture is unsatisfactory. A new method - osseointegration - involves a titanium screw being operated into the jawbone and the attachment of a fixed bridge. In a controlled study, 26 patients were examined pre- and postoperatively 3 months and then 2 years after the insertion of a jawbone-anchored bridge. The majority of them state that there has been a significant improvement in their lives, that they have regained confidence in themselves, and that, in contrast to a conventional denture, they accept the fixed bridge as part of their body. More attention should be focused on psychological reactions to total edentulousness. Individuals who cannot be rehabilitated by means of conventional prosthetic procedures should be given the opportunity of having a jawbone-anchored bridge inserted. Such treatment means an odontological and psycho-social restitutio ad integrum.

Photoelastic Stress Analysis of Mandibular Fixed Prostheses Supported by 3 Dental Implants

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] The Brånemark Novum concept was first developed in 1999 for the purpose of cost reduction. This concept involves the installation of only 3 implants in the mandibular interforaminal region and provides a fixed denture using prefabricated components.…”

“…These impairments can reduce quality of life, thus making edentulism an important public health issue. [1][2][3][4] Dependence on removable dentures is a reality for millions of people worldwide, but the cost remains an issue for many. 1 For this reason, optimization of the Brånemark protocol has been proposed.…”

Measurement and predictors of young adults' perceived ability to cope with dental life events

“…Tooth loss and the wearing of dentures may constitute serious psycho-social problems (1)(2)(3)(4)(5), yet the value of teeth and the severity of dental problems have received lower rank compared with other bodily parts, individual health, psychological and material problems (6)(7)(8). It is also accepted that life-stress which requires readjustment may be associated with the onset and extent of illness through hormonal and immune system changes (for review, see [9][10][11][12].…”

Patient expectations of oral implant-retained prostheses in a UK dental hospital

“…Most published studies have only reported patient satisfaction with treatment outcome. [7][8][9] Assessment of patient expectation, in conjunction with a comprehensive clinical and radiological evaluation, is an essential part of the pre-treatment process. Comprehensive clinical assessment alone may not determine appropriate treatment need.…”