A single tooth rarely provides decent retention or resistance for a denture.
Full upper dentures (where the patient has no teeth) rely on suction generated by a tight fit and compression of the underlying gums to keep the denture in place. Incorporating a single tooth into the denture prevents this seal from forming, so the denture will be loose and move during speech and eating.
Full lower dentures may benefit from a single tooth being used as an overdenture abutment. This means the denture rests on top of the tooth instead of going around it. Attachments can be used to help the denture clip on to the overdenture abutment and improve retention. Different attachments (precision attachments or locators) can be used.
However, bilateral or tripodal abutments provide better retention and resistance. This means that it is necessary to add at least one or more abutments and attachments, usually by placing implants. The denture will be designed to accommodate the attachments.
