From Carlsson GE, Omar R. The Future of Complete Dentures in Oral Rehabiliation. A Critical Review. J Oral Rehab 2010 37;143-156
1. Despite a declining prevalence and low incidence of edentulism in countries where reliable epidemiological data exist, in a global perspective large numbers of edentulous individuals, particularly among the elderly, are in need of rehabilitation.
2 Given the demographic data on population ageing, it is likely that the need to rehabilitate edentulous patients will remain considerable for many more decades.
3 Complete dentures are and will remain the mainstay of treatment for the vast majority of edentulous patients; most are satisfied with their dentures but some others are unable to adapt.
4 While there is compelling evidence that implant retained and ⁄ or -supported prostheses are in many ways superior to conventional complete dentures and would represent the standard of care for edentulous individuals, the majority of them are poor and will never be candidates for implant therapy; at the very best, they can hope for well-functioning complete dentures.
5 Several earlier studies found that a large majority of edentulous individuals showed little interest in implant treatment because they were satisfied with their complete dentures; more recently, there is increasing interest in implants (albeit less so among edentulous than dentate subjects) and a decreasing level of satisfaction with complete dentures.
6 Complete dentures will continue to play a central role in the rehabilitation of edentulism; thus, research, teaching and specialist training in complete denture prosthodontics must continue, and in fact be intensified rather than reduced.
