Dentures With Dignity: The Influence of Esthetics, Function, and Patient Psychology on Successful Treatment Options

By Cornelia Cone, MA; and Miles Cone, DMD, CDT, FACP

Commercial Supporter: Zest Dental Solutions

The treatment planning and successful delivery of removable complete denture prosthetics is predicated upon a high level of clinical skill and seamless collaboration between the patient, dental practitioner, and dental laboratory. A crucial, yet often overlooked, determinant of improved treatment outcomes and increased patient satisfaction is an understanding of the various patient psychological factors associated with tooth loss and dental restorations. This article outlines three case studies demonstrating individual patient psychological factors and esthetic and functional preferences and explains how recognition and understanding of these factors enabled patients’ preferences to be effectively addressed through the use of customized materials, case-specific protocols, and management of patient attitudes/expectations. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Describe the physiologic and psychological factors associated with the successful delivery of complete dentures
• Identify various esthetic and functional needs of patients receiving full-arch restorations with removable dental prosthetics
• Discuss how dental prostheses may be designed using customized dental restorative materials and how case-specific protocols can be utilized to address patients’ psychological, esthetic, and functional needs

About the Authors

Cornelia Cone, MA
Nuance Dental Specialists, Portland, Maine

Miles Cone, DMD, CDT, FACP
Nuance Dental Specialists, Portland, Maine