Relining extension-base removable partial dentures.

Modern prosthodontic therapy must continue to address the inevitable consequence of tooth loss--that is, alveolar process atrophy. The use of removable partial dentures (RPDs) to treat partial edentia must rely, in part, on support from the ever-deteriorating edentulous ridges. Extension-base RPDs are particularly affected as the tissue-base relationship changes over time after extraction of the natural teeth. This article reviews the concept of observed changes in the residual edentulous alveolar ridge and conventional procedures used to compensate for this bone loss. Finally, a practical procedure is presented which uses convenient and accurate materials that can be readily incorporated into the modern dental practice.