Complete Dentures
Prevalence
- Elders over the age of 65 have on average 18 remaining teeth
- 25% are completely edentulous
Negative Impacts of Edentulism
- Difficulty eating
- Inadequate nutritional intake
- Dissatisfaction with facial appearance
Dentures Improve Quality of Life
- Provide support for lips and face
- Improve appearance
- Make eating easier
Photos to the right show an elderly man with dentures out (top photo) and dentures in place (bottom photo).
Robert Henry, DMD, MPH
References
Tsakos G, Herrick K, Shelham A, Watt RG. Edentulism and fruit and vegetable intake in low income adults. J of Dental Research. 2010; 89:462-467.
Ervin RB, Dye BA. The effect of functional dentition on Healthy Eating Index scores and nutrient intakes in a nationally representative sample of older adults. J Public Health Dentistry. 2009; 69: 207-216.
Dye BA, Thornton-Evans G, Li X, Iafolla T, Dental Caries and Tooth Loss in Adults in the United States, 2011–2012.
NCHS Data Brief No. 197, May 2015. Accessed on 9/20/2021Â