Surgical and prosthetic treatment of the atrophic mandible.

Two vestibuloplasty methods and a muscle-formed method for improving the retention and stability of complete mandibular dentures were compared in 19 edentulous patients with advanced mandibular bone resorption. The resorptive changes in the alveolar crest and any relapse in the extended vestibule after surgery were monitored for 2 yr. Simultaneous production of the first new complete dentures, to which the labial plate is added during the surgical procedure, and firm circummandibular fixation during primary healing will guarantee the best surgical and prosthetic results. This order of treatment also eliminates unnecessary surgical procedures. A muscle-formed method for extending the baseplate of a complete mandibular denture was found to be a useful alternative for patients with highly advanced mandibular bone resorption.