[Reduction of the alveolar ridge: causes, sequelae and prevention]

The alveolar ridge (of upper and lower jaw) serves as a supporting tissue for the teeth. This function disappears after natural dentition has been extracted. Even so, the alveolar ridge remains very important, serving as it does to support and give retention to dentures. However, after removal of the natural dentition alveolar ridge reduction occurs, initially at a fairly rapid rate, slowing down later, but in an ever-continuing process, which, particularly in the long run, may have unpleasant consequences. As many factors may affect this reduction process unfavourably, it is very difficult to take one specific preventive measure. The most effective way of preventing alveolar ridge reduction is obviously the prevention of any edentulous condition, which unfortunately is not always possible. Nowadays a frequently used treatment of which a great deal is expected, is the application of the so-called overdenture. Further research is needed, however, for a proper evaluation of its long-term favourable effects on alveolar ridge reduction.