Biology Talk

rpautrey2 · Guest

Psychological and social issues associated with tooth loss
July 16, 2008

Are feelings of depression overwhelming you? Is your self-esteem an
issue? Having problems advancing in life or your career? Maybe you
feel nervous or self conscious in social settings? Do you avoid social
settings all together? Check your smile; tooth loss could be the
culprit and you're not alone. Nearly 20 million teeth are extracted
each year leaving scores of people to deal with the psychological
affects of a less than perfect smile.

However, during the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) 56th Annual
Meeting & Exhibits in Orlando, Fla., July 16-20, H. Asuman Kiyak, PhD,
will address the psychological issues affecting people who must deal
with the loss of a tooth, as well as explain how this loss can affect
the quality of life.

In Dr. Kiyak's course, "Enhancing the Oral Health and Quality of Life
for Partially Edentulous or Fully Edentulous Patients: The Importance
of Communication," she will reveal the post traumatic effects a
patient endures after the loss of a tooth and will also pinpoint ways
a doctor can communicate with a patient to help them cope with and
understand their options for restoring their smile.

"The major impact of tooth loss is on the appearance and social
relations component of quality of life because people cannot change
their appearance with missing teeth," says Dr. Kiyak.

In fact, recent results from a survey distributed to nearly 20,000 AGD
members revealed that more than 86 percent of general dentists
reported social embarrassment is one of the greatest problems
associated with tooth loss and more than half of these patients avoid
social interaction because of it.

Yet, Dr. Kiyak noted that there are ways that patients can learn how
to cope with the loss of a tooth. Dr. Kiyak encourages patients to:

-- Weigh their options with the pros and cons for replacement teeth or
even endodontic treatment to save a "hopeless" tooth.
-- Review videos or still photos of others who have lost teeth and
their current teeth status with removable or implant-supported
dentures.
-- Read testimonials of others who have undergone single, multiple,
total tooth loss and replacement of these teeth with removable or
implant-supported dentures, how they have coped with each stage and
how they are functioning orally, systemically and psychologically with
these dentures.

"A smile serves as an individual's most powerful tool," says AGD
spokesperson Laura Murcko, DMD. "A great smile can make a great
lasting impression, boost a person's self-esteem and confidence as
well as improve their overall health."

Source: Academy of General Dentistry

This news is brought to you by PhysOrg.com
http://www.physorg.com/news135433187.html