Dentures are removable dental appliances that replace missing teeth with artificial teeth attached to a gum-like denture base. Modern dentures are greatly improved over earlier versions. They can be worn with comfort, have an appearance similar to natural teeth and can help to preserve the patient’s health. However, dentures still have their limitations. Like other artificial teeth, they do not perform as well as natural teeth. Dentists usually advise people with even a few natural teeth remaining to keep them and get dental appliances to work with those teeth, rather than removing all the teeth.

Dentures may be used to replace teeth that are missing for any reason, including injury, tooth decay or periodontal disease. They can be used if a patient has lost all, most, or even just a few natural teeth. They can be used on one or both arches (top and/or bottom jaw).

Dentures have a pink-colored base that resembles the gums and soft tissue. It is composed of acrylic resin and is placed over the alveolar ridge. There may be extensions from the base, such as across the roof of the mouth (palate), to help stabilize the denture. The artificial teeth of dentures are made to look like natural teeth. They may be composed of porcelain or acrylic resin materials. Partial dentures may have additional pieces (e.g., metal clasps, bars, interlocking mechanisms) to secure them to remaining teeth.