Consequences of tooth loss: 1. The patient perspective--aesthetic and functional implications.

UNLABELLED Tooth loss in adults is becoming less common, and the attitudes of patients and professionals towards it have changed dramatically over the last quarter of a century. This paper explores these changes, from the patient's perspective, in terms of psychological perspectives, aesthetics, function and the need or desire for tooth replacement. A second paper will examine the evidence available on the positional and functional changes following tooth loss. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Clinicians need to have an awareness of changes in disease patterns, trends in patient expectations and the demand for restorative interventions.