Abstract
This case report describes the clinical management of a patient with severe periodontitis, occlusal collapse, and mandibular instability, in whom the application of a mandibular implant overdenture (IOD) successfully stabilized mandibular position and enhanced oral health–related quality of life (OHRQOL). A 77-year-old female presented with a chief complaint of acute swelling and pain in the mandibular right molar region. Following clinical and radiographic evaluation, teeth with a hopeless periodontal prognosis in both arches were extracted, and interim oral function was restored immediately with complete dentures. During the healing phase, significant mandibular functional disturbances and asymmetric mandibular border movements were observed. To address this, therapeutic treatment dentures were fabricated and dynamically modified to reestablish a stable, functional musculoskeletal position. Following the confirmation of objective mandibular stability, definitive prosthodontic rehabilitation was performed, consisting of a maxillary conventional complete denture and a mandibular two-implant overdenture. At the 3-year post-insertion follow-up, the peri-implant tissues and residual ridge mucosa remained healthy, and the overall clinical course was stable. The strategic reestablishment of occlusal support and vertical dimension via therapeutic dentures promoted a symmetrical mandibular movement pathway. This comprehensive workflow reliably stabilized the mandibular position and significantly improved the patient’s long-term OHRQOL.
