Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the perception of users of complete dentures (successful cases) provided by the public health service throughout the course from tooth loss to rehabilitation. METHODS: A total of 11 individuals who received their complete dentures through the public health service were interviewed according to a qualitative approach based on three pre-established topics: (1) tooth loss, (2) living without teeth, and (3) living with dentures. The obtained material was submitted to content analysis. RESULTS: Individuals associated the socioeconomic status with lifelong oral health experiences and difficulty to access oral treatment. Tooth loss was the solution to pain and sometimes perceived as a natural event of life. Living without teeth was a negative surprise that resulted in physical and psychological impairments. The period of adaptation to dentures represented suffering and required psychological efforts to be successful. CONCLUSION: The dentures represented a reward for the suffering and recovered normal function, appearance, and socialization.