title: Alternatives to traditional complete dentures.
abstract: Specific alternatives to traditional complete denture therapy have been controversial because of the uncertainties surrounding effectiveness of retention. This article addresses the importance of retention, border molding, diagnosis, and treatment planning, and the meticulous attention to detail required throughout the treatment course of these alternative modalities. Indications, advantages, and limitations are also presented. Although these alternatives are not routinely used in making complete dentures, they have been successfully used for the treatment of the edentulous patient. Alternatives serve as valuable prosthodontic treatment options that greatly enhance denture aesthetics, and should be considered for edentulous patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA. Electronic address: OlveraN@uthscsa.edu.
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Olvera
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000075202:Contraindications; D003779:Denture Design / Q000379:methods*; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000379:methods*; D003824:Denture, Complete / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010347:Patient Care Planning
keywords: Denture; Edentulous; Flangeless; Modified denture; Palateless; Removable prosthesis; Ridge preservation