Embarassed About Your False Teeth? Ask Dr. Rooney

The False Teeth Shut-In
Are you a denture wearer who's afraid to be seen in public because your denture is unattractive? Do you find yourself eating alone because you can't eat foods your friends eat? Do you wear your partial dentures in your pocket?

Prosthodontics wearers, without knowing it, can become dental "shut-ins." They begin, subtly, to reorient their lifestyle around loose dentures. When false teeth don't look or function properly, some people withdraw from their social lives and suffer depression and diminished self-esteem. Some even become recluses.

Tale of a shut-in

One prosthodontics patient - a truck driver - couldn't eat properly with his cheap dentures. At truck stops, he would take his food back to his truck and eat alone. He gave up his only social activity on the road - swapping stories with other drivers over a meal. For two years, he was a prisoner in his own truck.

But many people can reverse this situation. When false teeth look and feel right, a denture wearer's whole mental outlook can brighten.

Eating gives pleasure and a feeling of security learned from early feeding experiences. It's an important part of most social occasions. When a person controls the quality and quantity of his food, he's able to achieve this sense of security and a feeling of self-esteem.

So let's start fresh.

There's no need to feel unattractive or live in fear of a denture faux pas in the company of friends and family. Your dentist can help you regain function, comfort, and a natural appearance by replacing or refitting your denture. A well-fitting denture is a small sort of miracle, but one that works wonders for your self-esteem. Don't be a shut-in. Call your prosthodontist, and start smiling again.