Implant-supported overdenture in an elderly patient with Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease is a hereditary, progressive, neuro-degenerative disorder characterised by increasingly severe motor impairment, cognitive decline and behavioural manifestations leading to functional disability. Dyskinesia and hyperkinesia of the tongue and the peri-oral musculature make it impossible for the patient to wear a conventional complete denture, despite an adequate alveolar ridge. The present paper reports on a patient with Huntington's disease who was rehabilitated with a mandibular overdenture supported by two endosteal implants. One year follow-up examination showed that the prosthesis was stable and there was considerable improvement in the patient's masticatory function.