Patient Selection for Rehabilitation of the Edentulous Maxilla: A Case Report Illustrating the Global Consensus for...

The Global Consensus for Clinical Guidelines (GCCG) provides a structured, evidence-based framework for treatment planning in the rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla. Patient selection is illustrated in this case report of a 65-year-old man with well-controlled hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus who presented with severe tooth wear, loss of occlusal vertical dimension, limited vertical restorative space, and partial edentulism. A lobulated torus palatinus extending posteriorly was considered unfavorable for conventional complete denture retention. Dissatisfied with his removable partial denture, the patient sought a fixed prosthetic solution to improve mastication and comfort. Assessment of esthetics, lip support, phonetics, and facial profile demonstrated adequate support without the need for a denture flange. Prosthetically driven digital planning identified sufficient bone volume for standard-length implants in the anterior and left posterior maxilla but inadequate vertical bone height in the right posterior maxilla. Treatment options included segmental implant-supported fixed bridges, a full-arch implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis, a full-arch implant-retained overdenture, and a non-implant fixed-removable rehabilitation. Following structured discussion of the biologic and prosthetic risks, maintenance requirements, treatment duration, costs, and anticipated outcomes of the available options, the patient elected immediate full-arch implantsupported fixed rehabilitation through a shared decision-making process.