Objectives: The objectives of this study were to obtain in-depth qualitative data from patients on the effect of edentulousness and prosthetic rehabilitation upon issues surrounding eating (emotional, social and functional).
Methods: 33 patients who had received replacement conventional dentures (CDs) and 33 patients who had received implant-supported mandibular overdentures (ISODs) were interviewed by a researcher outside the clinical team. Interviews focused upon their experience of edentulousness, its management and its impact on their lives. Interviews were transcribed and the qualitative data analysed using NVivo [QSR NVivo v.2.2. Melbourne: QSR International; 2002].
Results: Both groups of patients told similar stories about the impact of edentulousness upon eating. A few patients who had received replacement CDs reported significant improvement, but marginal improvements were more common. Most patients who had received ISODs reported a significant positive impact upon eating with very few negative effects reported. The findings suggest that the functional limitations of dentures often impose social restrictions on edentulous patients. Optimising conventional dentures may help, but patients' eating-related quality of life is most likely to be enhanced through the functional improvement and increased social confidence that ISODs bring.
Conclusions: In conclusion, issues surrounding eating are a major concern for edentulous patients. The main impacts of edentulousness are limitation of social participation and food choice. The functional improvement and increased social confidence that ISODs can provide, has a beneficial impact on this aspect of patients of quality of life.