Statement of problem. It has been suggested that risk for severe resorption
in the anterior maxilla is increased in persons wearing mandibular implant
-retained overdentures. However, little information is available about the
changes in the edentulous maxilla after mandibular implant treatment.
Purpose. This study determined the possible changes in the width of the max
illary residual ridge 6 years after receiving mandibular implant-supported
or implant-mucosa-supported overdentures and evaluated the association betw
een the anatomic changes and subjective complaints with maxillary complete
dentures.
Methods and material. The subjects for this study (n = 55), enrolled among
the participants of a prospective clinical trial, were randomly assigned in
to 3 groups treated with: (a) implant-supported overdentures on a transmand
ibular implant system (n = 21); (b) implant-mucosa-supported overdentures o
n 2 IMZ implants (n = 20); or (c) conventional complete dentures (n = 14).
A lingual contact occlusion concept with anterior open bite was used for to
oth arrangement in all subjects. Diagnostic casts were made at baseline, an
d again at the 6-year follow-up. Most prominent points perpendicular to the
crest of residual ridge were located in the incisor, canine, and premolar
regions, after which the width of the ridge was recorded at these points wi
th a Boley gage. Subjects' opinions on their dentures were evaluated with a
questionnaire.
Results. Significant reduction in the width of the ridge was found in all m
easurement areas (mean difference = 0.4 to 0.6 mm; P<.0001). However, chang
es were small and not associated with the type of prosthetic restoration in
the mandible. In subjects with implant-mucosa-supported overdentures, comp
laint of loose maxillary denture correlated with the decrement of residual
ridge width.
Conclusion. The width of residual ridge decreases with time, despite the ty
pe of mandibular prosthetic restoration.