Denture failures are a constant reminder that mechanical fit and good occlusion are not necessarily the only factors that contribute to denture success. Although diet and nutrition represent one of the significant factors in determining the resistance or susceptibility of oral tissues to the denture and its trauma, they receive little attention in the average dental office. This is true notwithstanding the fact that many published clinical observations attest to the importance of diet and nutrition in the assurance of denture success. A cursory review of the literature, however, revealed only two controlled studies dealing with nutrition and denture success or failure. These reports suggest that protein, trace minerals, and the reduction in refined carbohydrate intake can be used to increase denture tolerance. Such an effect increases the chance of denture success and decreases the chance of denture failure.
