Overdenture
A removable complete or partial denture that rests on and is supported by retained tooth roots or dental implants.
Full Definition
An overdenture is a removable prosthesis that gains its support and retention from underlying implants or natural root structures, rather than relying solely on the residual alveolar ridge and mucosal tissue. Implant-retained overdentures are commonly indicated for edentulous mandibles and require attachment systems such as ball-and-socket, bar-and-clip, or locator attachments. Editors must distinguish overdentures from conventional complete dentures (no underlying implants/roots) and from implant-supported fixed prostheses (not removable by the patient). The term is always written as one word.
Usage
Usage note: Always one word. Specify whether implant-retained or tooth-retained on first use in a clinical document.
In Context
- "A mandibular overdenture retained by two implants was fabricated for the fully edentulous patient." — Implant prosthetics treatment record
- "The locator attachments on the overdenture were replaced due to wear at the annual review." — Maintenance visit note