Denture adhesives are materials used to enhance denture retention, stability and function. The aim of this study was to systematically review the articles and patents with regard to denture adhesives in order to obtain a scientific and technological overview of this material. A literature search of studies published between 1960 and 2014 was conducted in seven databases: MedLine (PubMed), Web of Science, Lilacs, Ibecs, Cochrane Library, Scielo and Scopus. Additionally, the following patent databases were screened: USPTO, EPO, JPO, INPI, Derwent Innovations Index, Patentscope and Questel Orbit. Data was tabulated and analyzed by Microsoft Office Excel 2013 software and Questel Orbit. A total of 54 articles and 78 patents were included in the analysis. The largest number of patents (n=19) was deposited by Procter and Gamble Company (Cincinnati, Ohio, USA). Furthermore, the most prevalent studies were conducted in vivo (n=30), and the types of adhesive most studied were cream or powder (n=14). It was possible to identify the current scientific and technological scenario of denture adhesives, in which patents filed in many underdeveloped countries were mostly foreignowned. Moreover, the recent advances of such materials have been more related to presentation than to the additional effects of denture adhesives.