A denture is a removable appliance designed to replace missing teeth and the surrounding gum tissue, restoring both function and appearance. These prosthetic devices are custom-made to fit a patient’s mouth following tooth loss, providing a stable surface for chewing and speaking. Understanding the commonality of these appliances requires examining specific statistical measures. This analysis quantifies the prevalence of denture use in the general population, providing context on how frequently these devices are used across various segments of society.
The Current State of Denture Use
Dentures represent a common form of dental restoration across the adult population, reflecting their long-standing use as an effective solution for tooth loss. In the United States, current data indicates that a substantial number of individuals rely on these appliances to maintain their oral function. By 2020, approximately 40.99 million American adults reported wearing some form of denture, a figure projected to increase to around 42.46 million by the end of 2025.
This high volume means that nearly one in every five people across several surveyed countries uses artificial teeth, either a full or partial prosthetic. Widespread usage highlights the persistent challenges of tooth loss stemming from periodontal disease, decay, or trauma. Despite advancements in preventative care, the number of people needing tooth replacement maintains a high demand for these restorative treatments.
The prevalence of denture use is also influenced by the number of Americans who have experienced some form of tooth loss. Estimates suggest that 178 million individuals in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth. Furthermore, over 35 million Americans are categorized as edentulous, meaning they are missing all of their natural teeth. Of this completely toothless population, a vast majority, estimated at 90%, utilize dentures to replace their missing dentition.
Prevalence Across Key Demographics
The commonality of denture use varies significantly based on age, gender, and socioeconomic factors. Age is the most influential factor, with the need for dentures rising steeply as individuals get older. For adults aged 18 to 34, only about 3% wear a complete or partial denture, a percentage that increases to 16% for those aged 35 to 44.
The prevalence continues its sharp climb through middle age, reaching 29% for the 45-to-55 age group and surpassing half the population at 51% for adults aged 55 to 64. Among the older adult population (ages 65 to 74), roughly 57% wear dentures. This pattern is directly linked to the cumulative effects of dental disease and oral health issues that progress over a lifetime.
Disparities in usage are also observed between genders, with women having a slightly higher prevalence (24%) than men (19%). Socioeconomic status also plays a significant role in determining the likelihood of tooth loss and subsequent denture use. Individuals in high-poverty groups or those with less than a high school education experience a higher prevalence of edentulism.
People in lower-income brackets often face barriers to regular preventative dental care, leading to a greater rate of significant tooth decay and gum disease. While edentulism has declined across all groups, the rate of decline has been greater in high-income households, suggesting a widening gap in oral health outcomes. Access to regular, high-quality dental care is a strong determinant of who ultimately requires dentures.
Full Versus Partial Dentures
Dentures are categorized into two types based on the extent of tooth loss they address: complete (full) dentures and removable partial dentures. Complete dentures are necessary when all teeth in an arch (upper or lower jaw) are missing, a state known as complete edentulism. Partial dentures are used when a patient retains some natural teeth and only needs to replace a localized gap.
Statistical analysis indicates that complete dentures currently account for the larger share of the overall market revenue. In 2023, the complete denture segment dominated, representing 64.1% of the total market. This majority share is driven by the significant number of older adults who require a full prosthetic restoration. However, the partial denture segment is projected to experience the fastest growth rate. This anticipated shift reflects the rising number of people missing only a few teeth who seek restoration while retaining their natural dentition.
Historical Changes in Denture Prevalence
The prevalence of complete tooth loss (edentulism) has undergone a dramatic reduction over the past half-century in the United States. In the late 1950s, edentulism was highly common, affecting nearly 19% of the population. By the early 2010s, that prevalence had fallen significantly to approximately 4.9%.
This historical decline is primarily attributed to public health initiatives and improvements in preventative dental care. The widespread adoption of community water fluoridation, better oral hygiene practices, and increased access to dental professionals have all contributed to preserving natural teeth for longer. These factors have successfully reduced the rate at which people lose all their teeth.
Despite this positive trend in the rate of edentulism, the total number of adults needing dentures is not projected to decrease significantly. This counter-intuitive trend is a result of demographic changes, specifically the substantial aging of the U.S. population. The growth in the number of adults over the age of 55 outweighs the decline in the percentage of people losing their teeth. As a result, the total population requiring at least one complete denture was estimated to increase from 33.6 million in 1991 to 37.9 million by 2020.