Dentures (Print Version)

Also called: Also called: False teeth

Dentures are false teeth made to replace teeth you have lost. Dentures can be complete or partial. Complete dentures cover your entire upper or lower jaw. Partials replace one or a few teeth.

Advances in dentistry have made many improvements in dentures. They are more natural looking and comfortable than they used to be. But they still may feel strange at first. In the beginning, your dentist may want to see you often to make sure the dentures fit. Over time, your mouth will change and your dentures may need to be adjusted or replaced. Be sure to let your dentist handle these adjustments.

Speaking and eating may feel different with dentures. Be careful when wearing dentures because they may make it harder for you to feel hot foods and liquids. Also, you may not notice things like bones in your mouth.

National Institute on Aging

Start Here

Dentures: Frequently Asked Questions(American Dental Association) - http://www.ada.org/public/topics/dentures_faq.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.ada.org/public/espanol/faq/dentures_faq.asp

Overviews

Dentures Basics(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31862/t.32275/pr.3.html
Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/teeth.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/teeth-sp.asp

Treatment

Alveoplasty(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31853/t.31255/pr.3.html

Coping

Living with Your Dentures(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31862/t.32276/pr.3.html

Specific Conditions

Denture-Induced Stomatitis(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31862/t.25020/pr.3.html

Related Issues

Advice for Patients: Denture Cleansers(Center for Devices and Radiological Health) - http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/medicaldevicesafety/atp/022508-denturecleansers.html
Denture Adhesives: Do They Work? Do You Need Them?(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31862/t.32532/pr.3.html
Implant-Supported Denture(Columbia University Medical Center, School of Dental & Oral Surgery) - http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32575/t.35552/pr.3.html
Removable Partial Dentures: Frequently Asked Questions(American Dental Association) - http://www.ada.org/public/topics/dentures_partial_faq.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.ada.org/public/espanol/faq/dentures_partial_faq.asp

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Dentures(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/term=denture+%5BCONDITION%5D+OR+denture+%5BTREATMENT%5D

Research

Temporary Dentures Improve Patients' Smiles - and Overall Health(Academy of General Dentistry) - http://www.agd.org/public/oralhealth/Default.asp?IssID=186&Topic=D&ArtID=3589

Journal Articles

References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Article: A review of functional outcomes related to prosthetic treatment after... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18717093&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Clinical parameters influencing the accuracy of 1- and 2-stage impressions:... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18717091&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Simplified versus comprehensive fabrication of complete dentures: patient ratings of... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18560649&tool=MedlinePlus
Dentures -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=dentures[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+systematic[sb])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus

Medical Encyclopedia

Dentures - http://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v:project=medlineplus&binning-state=group%3d%3dMedical%20Encyclopedia&query=Dentures

Directories

Find a Dentist: ADA Member Directory(American Dental Association) - http://www.ada.org/public/disclaimer.asp
Find a Prosthodontist(American College of Prosthodontists) - http://www.prosthodontics.org/patients/find.asp

Organizations

Academy of General Dentistry - http://www.agd.org/
American College of Prosthodontists - http://www.prosthodontics.org/
American Dental Association - http://www.ada.org/
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/

Children

What Are Dentures?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/grownup/getting_older/dentures.html

You may also be interested in these MedlinePlus related pages:

Dental Health - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dentalhealth.html
Tooth Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/toothdisorders.html
Mouth and Teeth - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mouthandteeth.html

The primary NIH organization for research on Dentures is the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/

Dentures - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/dentures.html