Retention, Stability & Support in Complete Dentures RETENTION – “How well the denture stays IN.” Retention is the resistance to vertical dislodging forces. ✔ Achieved by border seal, saliva film, surface tension & atmospheric pressure ✔ Better retention = less movement during speech & swallowing ⸻ STABILITY – “How steady the denture remains during chewing.” Stability resists lateral / horizontal forces. ✔ Depends on: ridge shape, denture base adaptation, occlusal balance ✔ A stable denture doesn