Edentulism
![This X-ray film displays two lone-standing teeth, #21 and #22, as the remnants of a once full complement of 16 lower teeth. This case of partial edentulism is the result of periodontal disease, as is suggested by the substantial bone loss around the two remaining teeth.](/Images/godic/202501/10/Periodontalboneloss1302.JPG")
![The green line indicates the faciolingual dimensions of a newly edentulous ridge, while the blue line indicates these dimensions after the occurrence of very severe resorption.](/Images/godic/202501/10/Ridge_resorption1302.jpg")
Edentulism is the condition of being toothless to at least some degree; in organisms (such as humans) that naturally have dentition, it is the result of tooth loss. Loss of some teeth results in partial edentulism, whereas loss of all teeth results in complete edentulism. Persons who have lost teeth are (either partially or completely) edentulous (edentate), whereas those who have not lost teeth can be called dentate by comparison. For example, a scientific study may include a partially edentulous group and a healthy dentate control group.