Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (567 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
An appliance used as an artificial or prosthetic replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. It does not include crowns; dental abutments; nor tooth, artificial.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Denture.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Dental Prosthesis
- Narrower topics
- Denture Bases; Denture Design; Denture Liners; Denture Rebasing; Denture Repair; Denture Retention; Denture, Complete; Denture, Overlay; Denture, Partial
Related concepts
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 47,891 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Dentures” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 3,317 of them (6.9%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 32,569 records.
Reviews account for 2,051 records (4.3%) and meta-analyses for 227. Randomized controlled trials number 1,095 (2.3%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 32,569 |
| 2000-2009 | 5,788 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,217 |
| 2020 onward | 3,317 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 2,051 | 4.3% |
| Meta-analyses | 227 | 0.5% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 1,095 | 2.3% |
Method: PubMed query "Dentures"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in diagnostics and medical technology
A test or device is judged by how well it detects a condition, how often it gives false alarms or misses cases, and whether using it improves outcomes for people. Accuracy depends on who is tested and how common the condition is, so a test that performs well in a specialist hospital can perform differently in the community. Check the reference standard, the population studied, the sensitivity and specificity and whether results were confirmed in a separate group.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert consensus on digital restoration of complete dentures | 2025 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 13 | cc by PMID 40739137 · DOI · PMC12311047 |
| A Review of Current Systems, Materials, and Protocols for 3D-Printed Splints, Crowns, and Dentures | 2026 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 7 | cc by PMID 41700503 · DOI · PMC13062704 |
| In Vitro Evaluation of Flexural Strength, Impact Strength, and Surface Microhardness of Vaccinium macrocarpon Reinforced Polymethyl Methacrylate Denture Base Resin | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 5 | cc by PMID 40387353 · DOI · PMC12086990 |
Expert consensus on digital restoration of complete dentures [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Digital technologies have become an integral part of complete denture restoration.
- Closing excerpt
- The aim of this review was to offer practical recommendations on indications, clinical procedures and precautions, evaluation metrics, and outcome assessment to support digital restoration of complete denture in clinical practice.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (165 words)
Digital technologies have become an integral part of complete denture restoration. With advancement in computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), tools such as intraoral scanning, facial scanning, 3D printing, and numerical control machining are reshaping the workflow of complete denture restoration. Unlike conventional methods that rely heavily on clinical experience and manual techniques, digital technologies offer greater precision, predictability, and efficacy. They also streamline the process by reducing the number of patient visits and improving overall comfort. Despite these improvements, the clinical application of digital complete denture restoration still faces challenges that require further standardization. The major issues include appropriate case selection, establishing consistent digital workflows, and evaluating long-term outcomes. To address these challenges and provide clinical guidance for practitioners, this expert consensus outlines the principles, advantages, and limitations of digital complete denture technology. The aim of this review was to offer practical recommendations on indications, clinical procedures and precautions, evaluation metrics, and outcome assessment to support digital restoration of complete denture in clinical practice.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40739137 · DOI · PMC12311047
A Review of Current Systems, Materials, and Protocols for 3D-Printed Splints, Crowns, and Dentures [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ObjectivesTo summarize and synthesize evidence-based conclusions on optimal three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies, materials, and clinical protocols for splints, crowns, and dentures.
- Closing excerpt
- Clinical significanceEmploying validated printing parameters, selecting the appropriate resin, and following evidence-based protocols allows clinicians to maximize restoration accuracy and mechanical performance while leveraging 3D printing's efficiency and cost benefits.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (201 words)
ObjectivesTo summarize and synthesize evidence-based conclusions on optimal three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies, materials, and clinical protocols for splints, crowns, and dentures.OverviewIn resin vat printing, stereolithography (SLA) offers superior surface finish, while liquid crystal display (LCD) and digital light processing (DLP) excel in speed for larger prints, with LCD providing a cost advantage. Ceramic vat printing yields clinically acceptable strength but is equipment- and time-intensive. Optimal angulation varies by application: splints (0°), crowns (150°-210°), dentures (45°-90°). A 50 μm layer height is preferred for most restorations, with dentures tolerating 100 μm. Commonly used resins employ low-viscosity monomers (e.g., ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate [Bis-EMA]) that limit stiffness and fast photoinitiators (e.g., ethyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phenylphosphinate [TPO]), requiring 385-405 nm curing.ConclusionsFlexible splints excel in fracture toughness and impact strength; firm splints match milled wear performance. Printed crowns, while weaker than milled options, offer toughness; wear rates remain a concern. Printed denture bases vary in strength but can match or exceed conventional options; printed teeth show favorable wear resistance. Postprocessing, polishing, and bonding protocols critically influence outcomes.Clinical significanceEmploying validated printing parameters, selecting the appropriate resin, and following evidence-based protocols allows clinicians to maximize restoration accuracy and mechanical performance while leveraging 3D printing's efficiency and cost benefits.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41700503 · DOI · PMC13062704
In Vitro Evaluation of Flexural Strength, Impact Strength, and Surface Microhardness of Vaccinium macrocarpon Reinforced Polymethyl Methacrylate Denture Base Resin [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ObjectiveThe antimicrobial efficacy of cranberry (CA) against oral infections was well evidenced.
- Closing excerpt
- % control HA-PMMA.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (201 words)
ObjectiveThe antimicrobial efficacy of cranberry (CA) against oral infections was well evidenced. Influence of cranberry on the mechanical properties of heat-activated polymethyl methacrylate (HA-PMMA) denture base resin (DBR) is unexplored till date and is significant for a better understanding of the reinforcement. This study aimed to evaluate the flexural strength (FS), impact strength (IS), and surface microhardness (VHN) of heat-cure PMMA DBR reinforced with varying concentrations of Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) extract.Material and methodsA total of 150 samples were categorized into five groups (n = 10) by weight percentage of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 cranberry extract added into HA-PMMA polymer after the performance of antimicrobial efficacy testing of CA. Three-point bending test for FT, Izod impact testing for IS, and Vickers microhardness test were performed. Fractured sample surface was characterized by a high-resolution scanning electron microscope (HR-SEM). Raw data were statistically analyzed with one-way ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni test.ResultsA significant improvement in flexural strength of 76.88 ± 0.73 MPa, impact strength of 6.66 ± 0.24 kJ/m2, and microhardness of 18.44 ± 0.27 kg/mm2 was observed at 2 wt.% (p ConclusionsAddition of up to 2 wt.% cranberry improved the FS, IS, and VHN on comparison to 0 wt.% control HA-PMMA.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40387353 · DOI · PMC12086990
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) after a mean observation period of at least 5 years [4]
- Research article Clinical complications in fixed prosthodontics [5]
- Research article All-ceramic or metal-ceramic tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs)? A systematic review of the survival and complication rates. Part II: Multiple-unit FDPs [6]
- Research article PMMA denture base material enhancement: a review of fiber, filler, and nanofiller addition [7]
- Research article A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of zirconia-ceramic and metal-ceramic multiple-unit fixed dental prostheses [8]
- Research article Survival Rate of Resin and Ceramic Inlays, Onlays, and Overlays: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [9]
References
- Feng Y, Feng Z, Li J, Chen J, Yu H, Jiang X, et al.. Expert consensus on digital restoration of complete dentures. . 2025. PMID 40739137 · DOI · PMC12311047
- Sabanik P, Liu TC, Tabatabaeian M, Rocha MG, Surathu N, Lawson NC. A Review of Current Systems, Materials, and Protocols for 3D-Printed Splints, Crowns, and Dentures. . 2026. PMID 41700503 · DOI · PMC13062704
- Viswanathan AK, Krishnan R. In Vitro Evaluation of Flexural Strength, Impact Strength, and Surface Microhardness of Vaccinium macrocarpon Reinforced Polymethyl Methacrylate Denture Base Resin. . 2025. PMID 40387353 · DOI · PMC12086990
- Pjetursson BE, Thoma D, Jung R, Zwahlen M, Zembic A. A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) after a mean observation period of at least 5 years. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2012. PMID 23062125 · DOI
- Goodacre CJ, Bernal G, Rungcharassaeng K, Kan JY. Clinical complications in fixed prosthodontics. J Prosthet Dent. 2003. PMID 12869972 · DOI
- Pjetursson BE, Sailer I, Makarov NA, Zwahlen M, Thoma DS. All-ceramic or metal-ceramic tooth-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs)? A systematic review of the survival and complication rates. Part II: Multiple-unit FDPs. Dent Mater. 2015. PMID 25935732 · DOI
- Gad MM, Fouda SM, Al-Harbi FA, Näpänkangas R, Raustia A. PMMA denture base material enhancement: a review of fiber, filler, and nanofiller addition. Int J Nanomedicine. 2017. PMID 28553115 · DOI · PMC5440038
- Sailer I, Strasding M, Valente NA, Zwahlen M, Liu S, Pjetursson BE. A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of zirconia-ceramic and metal-ceramic multiple-unit fixed dental prostheses. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2018. PMID 30328185 · DOI
- Morimoto S, Rebello de Sampaio FB, Braga MM, Sesma N, Özcan M. Survival Rate of Resin and Ceramic Inlays, Onlays, and Overlays: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Dent Res. 2016. PMID 27287305 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.