Paul Hellyer Light At The End Of The Tunnel

[Cloris Sopha]

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The social and emotional impacts of tooth loss are complex, but are known to impact self-worth, appearance and confidence. Denture wearing has been associated with ageing and a stigmatising shame. The journey to successful denture wearing has been little studied. Using narrative interviews, targeted participant observation and a focus group, this study describes the journey to denture wearing through the phases of construction: tooth loss = trauma; impressions = entry to the emotional tunnel; try-in = light at the end of the tunnel; and fit = ready to go into the prosthetic compromise.

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