“It is important to remember our duty of care continues beyond the provision of bespoke dentures for our patients. Carrying out further research on the impact of dentures on the tissues that support them is essential for optimising their function and comfort. We should also help maintain the oral health of patients who have experienced tooth loss. It is a privilege to be part of this exciting research and I look forward to seeing how the findings pave the way for further research.”
Dentures can obviously have a hugely positive impact on people who lose teeth or need to have them removed as a result of disease or trauma. However, the impact of wearing dentures on the inside of people’s mouths hasn’t been extensively tested. By creating models in the lab, we can accurately mimic the physical effects of dentures – and the adhesives used with them – to understand this process more clearly. With an ageing population and more people likely to need dentures in the future, it is a critical piece of work with the potential to benefit patients, dentists and the companies involved in creating these dentures.
Professor Simon Whawell
Professor of Integrated Oral Sciences
Faculty of Health
Exceptional clinical and academic learning, social engagement and research in medicine, dentistry, nursing, psychology and health professions.