[Stabilisation of lower denture using mini dental implants]

INTRODUCTION. The role of the total lower denture is not only to replace the missing teeth but also to provide the substitute for a range of supporting tissues which have diminished due to the process of resorption, to re-establish the original relations in the region ofjaw complex, to support the surrounding soft tissues which have lost their natural support, and, moreover, to be unobtrusive and discrete substitution of lost functions. Application of Mini-dental Implants. If anatomical conditions are unfavorable, there is a wide range of oral-surgical pre-prosthetic procedures which can be performed on both soft tissues and bone structures (vestibuloplasty, alveolar ridge augmentation...) in order to enable proper fabrication of the total lower denture to some extent. Having in mind the old age of the patients, the majority of who suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular problems, systemic diseases etc., these procedures should be avoided because of the extent of the procedure, possible systemic complications and prolonged therapy period.

Most recently, the application of titanium endosteal mini implants have proved to be one of good solutions in overcoming unfavorable anatomical conditions resulting in stability and retention of total lower dentures.