Residual Ridge Resorption

Bone resorption has a vital role in the growth and maintenance of the skeletal system. The dental problem of maintaining alveolar bone to support the teeth or complete dentures is not one of elimination but prevention of excessive bone resorption in local areas. Forces generated by functioning complete dentures cause pressure and inflammation in the supporting tissues which by some unknown mechanism initiate an excessive irreversible loss of alveolar bone. Because this mechanism is not understood dentists can only apply the results of clinical findings to their treatment of edentulous patients in attempting to prevent the loss of the residual alveolar ridges.