Edentulous

Edentulism is the medical term for being without teeth, either in part of the mouth (partially edentulous) or entirely (fully edentulous). Causes range from advanced periodontal disease and untreated decay to trauma and certain systemic conditions. Beyond the obvious effects on chewing and speech, long-term edentulism leads to progressive loss of jawbone volume, which can change facial appearance and complicate future treatment. Restorative options include conventional dentures, implant-retained overdentures, and full-arch implant bridges such as All-on-4. Modern dentistry increasingly favors implant-supported solutions because they preserve bone.