From Volume 49, Issue 6, June 2022 | Pages 522-525
The objectives for complete denture fabrication are to provide comfort, function and aesthetics. The availability of implant-assisted overdentures has benefited complete denture wearers; however, the success of the prostheses can be further enhanced when the neutral zone concept is incorporated as a mean to locate the correct position of the implants, as well as the tooth arrangement for optimal outcome of the prescribed prostheses.
The success of complete dentures is dependent on stability, retention and support. Stability can be achieved when the integration of satisfactory final impressions, jaw relation, tooth selection and setting, as well as the patient's neuromuscular control is achieved. Retention is achieved by an adequate peripheral seal, while support is obtained through a sufficient covering of the soft tissues and underlying bone.1,2,3 In 1931, Sir Wilfred Fish was the first to describe the importance of the polished surface and its influence on stability and retention.4 Furthermore, he described the role of muscles in stabilizing a lower complete denture by constructing the denture in the ‘dead space’.5 The dead space, commonly known as the neutral zone, is ‘the potential space between the lips and cheeks on one side and the tongue on the other; that area or position where the forces between the tongue, cheeks and lips are equal.6 As implant position affects both the aesthetics and function of the implant-supported overdenture, a radiographical guide and surgical stent were fabricated using neutral zone concept to facilitate proper implant placement. This clinical case report describes the determination of the implant placement position using the polished surface of the mandibular complete denture. Determining the position of the polished surface will help to locate the position of the teeth and occlusal surfaces, which, in turn, will help to indicate the optimal implant positioning.
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