Stability is success: Rehabilitation of an atrophic mandibular ridge employing neutral zone technique - A case report

Mandibular ridge resorption is a biomechanical and a complex disease that brings about chronic, progressive, cumulative and irreversible changes in bone structure resulting in severe impairment in fit and function of prosthesis. Some common hormonal, neurological, metabolic disorders can affect the adaptability of denture which can be diagnosed by a trained prosthodontist with proper history taking and clinical examination. If a denture stays inside or outside of the neutral zone, it will be unstable during functional & physiological activities such as talking, swallowing and mastication. Neutral zone technique is a long being used for the management of severely resorbed mandibular ridge. Various materials can used in recording neutral zone which have their own advantages and disadvantages. This technique serves as an alternative approach for the construction of mandibular complete denture. This technique is most effective for denture where there is a highly atrophic ridge, neuromuscular incoordination and history of denture instability. This clinical report describes in detail the fabrication of a complete denture in a patient with poorly formed mandibular ridge using neutral zone technique with addition of cast metal in mandibular denture for extra stability.