Final answer:
A maxillary denture opposing natural teeth is associated with a greater incidence of denture fracture compared to complete dentures due to differences in material resilience between acrylic and natural teeth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Compared to a set of opposing complete dentures, a maxillary denture opposing a full complement of natural teeth is more often associated with a greater incidence of denture fracture. This is due to the difference in resilience and force distribution between the hard natural teeth and the more forgiving acrylic teeth of a complete denture. Dentures are designed to work best with a similar material; when a denture made from acrylic opposes natural teeth, the increased wear and different force application can lead to more cracks or breaks in the denture material. Meanwhile, aspects such as retention, stability, and appearance of the denture are influenced by other factors and can vary based on individual fit and design of the denture.