The periodontal state of 70-year-old patients was compared with that of patients 10 years younger. It was established that the, in part, significant differences in favor of the older patients were not attributable to the distribution of the remaining teeth, the type or support of the prosthetic device, oral hygeine, or general physical condition. On the basis of this study, it was concluded that only those patients in the group over 70 years of age were fitted with partial dentures whose teeth showed a lesser amount of previous periodontal damage and/or were periodontally more resistant. This contributed to a satisfactory prosthetic care.