Complete Removable Denture Retained by a Symphyseal Single Implant: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Prosthodontics
• Implantology

Background:

• Complete dentures present significant challenges in achieving optimal stability and function, especially in patients with severe mandibular resorption.
• Implant-retained overdentures aim to improve prosthetic balance and bio-functional integration, even in unfavorable anatomophysiological conditions.

Observation:

• A 61-year-old fully edentulous patient presented with an unstable mandibular complete denture due to severe mandibular crest resorption.
• The patient refused bone augmentation surgery, necessitating an alternative solution for denture retention.

Findings:

• A piezographic mandibular prosthesis retained by a single standard implant in the mandibular symphysis was successfully implemented.
• The implant-retained denture demonstrated excellent stability and retention, leading to satisfactory masticatory comfort and improved psychological integration.

Implications:

• A single symphyseal implant offers a viable therapeutic alternative for mandibular complete dentures in specific cases, particularly in elderly patients with reduced bone volume.
• While promising, this approach requires further research, including randomized controlled trials, before widespread adoption is recommended.