The role of overdentures in gerodontics

As more people keep their teeth later in life, more and more patients in the future will still be partially dentate at an age when, previously, the edentulous state was the norm. The overdenture has a part to play in restorative dentistry for these patients. It can be a relatively simple, inexpensive prosthesis; but, like so many other aspects of dentistry, will provide long-term success only if the patient and the mouth have been assessed with care and a rigorous after-care programme instituted.