2026 Volume 18 Issue 2 Pages 119-123
In recent years, while the overall number of edentulous patients has been decreasing, the proportion of difficult cases presenting with severe residual ridge resorption has been increasing due to population ageing and the prolonged duration of edentulism. In addition, many patients present with systemic diseases and cognitive decline, which further increases the complexity of complete denture treatment. This article aims to clarify the characteristics of difficult cases in complete denture therapy and to organize the underlying factors contributing to their complexity, as well as to discuss why the management of such cases is particularly challenging. Furthermore, key concepts for achieving functionally successful complete dentures, together with practical considerations at each clinical step, are described for cases with severe ridge resorption and unstable mandibular positions.
