Effect of using soft liner on bone density around the abutments supporting complete lower overdenture

Area of Science:

• Dental Prosthodontics
• Oral Implantology
• Bone Physiology

Background:

• Alveolar bone density is crucial for denture stability and longevity.
• Soft liners in overdentures aim to improve patient comfort and reduce stress on abutments.
• Understanding the long-term effects of soft liners on bone density is essential for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of lower acrylic overdentures with soft liners on the bone density surrounding abutments.
• To compare bone density changes over one year in patients using soft-lined overdentures versus standard acrylic overdentures.

Main Methods:

• 14 patients were divided into two groups, with one group using lower acrylic overdentures lined with soft material.
• Bone density around two canine and two posterior abutments was measured using periapical radiographs and a densitometer at baseline and after one year.
• Comparative analysis of bone density changes between the two groups.

Main Results:

• A decrease in crestal alveolar bone density was observed around abutments in all patients over the one-year study period.
• Patients using overdentures with soft liners exhibited a greater decrease in bone density compared to those using standard acrylic overdentures.
• The study indicated a trend of reduced bone density with soft-lined overdentures.

Conclusions:

• The resiliency of soft liners may reduce the load transmitted to overdenture abutments.
• Reduced load transmission could lead to increased alveolar bone changes, specifically a decrease in bone density.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the long-term effects of soft liners on bone remodeling around overdenture abutments.