Introduction to prosthodontics

Prosthetic: The art and science of supplying artificial replacements for missing parts of the human body.
Prosthodontics (Prosthetic dentistry): It is the branch of dental art and science that deals with the replacement of missing teeth and oral tissues to restore and maintain oral form, function, appearance, and health.
Prosthesis: An artificial replacement of an absent part of the human body.
Dental prosthesis: An artificial replacement of one or more teeth (up to the entire dentition in the arch) and associated dental and/or alveolar structures.

Removable dental prosthesis: Any dental prosthesis that replaces some or all teeth in a partially dentate arch (removable partial dental prosthesis) or edentate arch (removable complete dental prosthesis), and can be removed from the mouth and replaced at will.
Complete denture: A removable dental prosthesis which replaces the entire dentition and associated structures of the maxilla and mandible.
Objective of complete denture
1) Preservation of the remaining tissues in health state.
2) Restoration of the function of mastication.
3) Restoration of the disturbed facial dimension and contour (esthetic).
4) Correction of speech due to the loss of natural teeth.
5) Satisfaction, pleasing and comfort of the patient.

COMPLETE DENTURE IS COMPOSED OF:
1) Basal surface (impression surface or tissue surface): the part of a denture that rests on the foundation tissues (the oral structures available to support a denture) and to which the teeth are attached.
2) Denture occlusal surface: the portion of the surface of a denture that makes contact with its antagonist.
3) Denture polished surface: the portion of the surface of a denture that extends in an occlusal direction from the border of the denture and includes the palatal surface. It is the part of the denture base that is usually polished, and it includes the buccal and lingual surfaces of the teeth
4) Denture border: the margin of the denture base at the junction of the polished surface and the basal surface.
5) Denture flange: the part of the denture base that extends from the cervical ends of the teeth to the denture border.