Dental Encyclopedia · Prosthetics
Denture
Denture
A denture is a removable prosthesis that replaces multiple lost teeth — an artificial tooth appliance that can be taken out and put back in. It is known to be classified into partial dentures and complete dentures according to the condition of the remaining teeth and gums.
In plain terms
Put simply, it is a set of artificial teeth that you can take out and put back in. When many teeth have been lost, it rests on the gums and helps with chewing and pronunciation.
A denture is made as a partial denture when some teeth remain, and as a complete denture when almost no teeth remain. Because it rests on the gums, chewing force is known to be lower than with implants, so it is compared with implant-fixed options according to the condition of the remaining teeth and the jawbone.
For those aged 65 and over, Korea’s National Health Insurance covers a denture for older adults (resin-based or metal-based) once every 7 years, and the patient’s share is approximately 30% in line with the National Health Insurance Service notice. There is also a method of reinforcing retention with an implant-supported denture (overdenture) combined with implants.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
- Q. My denture keeps moving — is there anything that can be done?
- When the jawbone resorbs, the fit of a denture can worsen and it may move. Depending on the condition of the gums, the denture can be adjusted or remade, and there is also known to be a method of increasing retention with an implant-supported denture (overdenture) that secures the denture with 2 to 4 implants. The exact method is explained after diagnosis.
This entry is for general information. Diagnosis and treatment depend on individual conditions.