Edentulism is the condition of being toothless to at least some degree; it is the result of tooth loss. Loss of some teeth results in partial edentulism, while loss of all teeth results in complete edentulism.

For people, the relevance and functionality of teeth can be easily taken for granted, but a closer examination of their considerable significance will demonstrate how they are actually very important. Among other things, teeth serve to: * support the lips and cheeks, providing for a fuller, more aesthetically pleasing appearance * maintain an individual's vertical dimension of occlusion * along with the tongue and lips, allow for the proper pronunciation of various sounds * preserve and maintain the height of the alveolar ridge * cut, grind, and otherwise chew food