Conditions
Edentulism (toothlessness)
Edentulism means having no natural teeth. It can be complete or partial, and it affects chewing, speaking and how the face looks.
Edentulous means without teeth. Edentulism is the state of having lost all, or sometimes some, natural teeth. NIDCR reports that about 2% of adults ages 20 to 64 have no remaining natural teeth.
Causes include untreated decay, gum disease and injury. Smoking is linked to higher rates. Losing teeth can make it harder to chew and speak.
Options for replacing teeth include complete dentures and dental implants. Our office describes these on its dentures page. A dentist can talk with you about what fits your needs.