Volumetric Changes of Edentulous Jaws Beneath Conventional Complete Dentures

Objective: The objective of this study was to quantify the changing in edentulous maxilla and mandible bone beneath complete dentures one year post dentures insertion and to create a visual map of these changes. Materials and Methods: Four edentulous patients were provided by conventional complete dentures. CBCT were acquired for these patients prior and one year post dentures insertion. These radiographs converted to Mimics research software where a 3-D model for maxilla & mandible were calculated pre and post treatment for each patient. For each patient, the pre & post model for both jaws underwent to superimposition. Then these superimposed models were sectioned at the same level to ensure the same borders of jaws pre & post treatment. The bone volume pre & post treatment for both jaws obtained and the difference between these values calculated. Finally these models exported to 3-Matic software to create visualized maps for these changes. Results: The average of reduction in the maxilla was 0.97% while this average in mandible was 6.31%. Conclusion: The three dimensional changes in the mandible one year post denture insertion was about six times more than maxilla. The high rate of resorption in mandible may complicate the mandible complete denture treatment so alternative treatment option should be considered for mandible such as implant overdenture.