A Case of Implant Overdenture Applied to a Severely Atrophic Edentulous Mandibular Patient

Abstract

Patient: A 72-year-old woman presented with a chief complaint of inadequate mandibular denture retention. Her maxillary teeth consisted of a full-mouth fixed prosthesis. Even after determination of the shape and vertical dimension of the new denture, the patient was not satisfied with it and therefore flapless implant surgery was performed using a stereolithographic surgical guide. Four months later, an overdenture was put in place using ball abutments.

Discussion: The stability of the implant overdenture was improved by the retention force of the ball abutments. The patient was satisfied with the improvement of her masticatory function.

Conclusions: This case indicates that an implant overdenture is an effective option for a mandibular single denture in patients with severely atrophic mandible to provide sufficient support, bracing and retention capabilities.