Edentulous
Pronunciation: ee-DEN-choo-lus
Describing a patient or anatomical region that has lost all natural teeth.
Full Definition
The term 'edentulous' is used in dental research to describe a jaw, arch, or patient with complete absence of natural teeth, as distinct from 'partially edentulous', which refers to the loss of some but not all teeth. The distinction is critical in implant, prosthodontic, and epidemiological research because treatment modalities, study populations, and outcome measures differ substantially between the two groups. Editors must ensure authors apply these terms consistently throughout a manuscript and do not use 'edentulous' to describe a partially dentate patient. Related terms such as 'Kennedy classification' are used to describe partial edentulism by arch topology, and 'edentulous span' refers to a localised toothless region. Confusion between 'edentulous' and 'partially edentulous' is among the most common terminological errors in prosthodontic research manuscripts.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish 'edentulous' (complete tooth loss) from 'partially edentulous' (some teeth remaining). Do not use 'adentulous' in formal publications without explanation, as it is rarely used.
In Context
- "The study population comprised 45 fully edentulous patients requiring implant-retained complete overdentures." — Clinical trial participant demographics
- "The term 'edentulous' was incorrectly applied to a patient missing only three posterior teeth; 'partially edentulous' is the correct descriptor." — Copy-editor's manuscript annotation