Addressing Flabby Ridges in Complete Denture Patients: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Prosthodontics
• Oral Surgery

Background:

• Flabby ridges are a common condition affecting alveolar ridges, characterized by hyperplastic, mobile soft tissue replacing bone.
• This condition significantly impacts denture stability, fit, and function, particularly in long-term denture users.
• Current management strategies include impression techniques, surgical interventions, and specialized denture design.

Observation:

• Flabby ridges present as mobile, hypermobile, and often edematous tissue, primarily in edentulous anterior regions of the mandible and maxilla.
• Accurate denture fabrication requires accounting for the unique morphology and mobility of this hyperplastic tissue.
• The prevalence is notable in long-term denture wearers, especially in the lower anterior region.

Findings:

• This case report details an improved, controlled application of polyvinyl siloxane impression material for managing flabby tissue.
• A modified window technique is presented for capturing anterior mandibular flabby tissues in their natural, undistorted state.
• This technique aims to achieve a more accurate and stable denture fit.

Implications:

• The modified window technique offers a practical approach to improve denture outcomes for patients with flabby ridges.
• Enhanced impression accuracy can lead to increased patient satisfaction and functional benefits of dentures.
• This method provides a valuable addition to the armamentarium for managing complex denture cases involving soft tissue anomalies.