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Updated: Oct 25, 2026
A Postoperative Evaluation Guideline for Computer-Assisted Reconstruction of the Mandible
Published on: January 28, 2020
Prosthetic impression techniques for management of severely resorbed mandibular ridges: a systematic review
Prathibha Saravanakumar1, Divyabharathi Selvam2, Karthigeyan Jeyapalan3
1Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher education and Research, Chennai, India. prathiba.p@sriramachandra.edu.in.
Objectives:
To assess and compare the effectiveness of various prosthetic impression techniques in enhancing retention, stability, and patient satisfaction in the rehabilitation of severely resorbed mandibular ridges.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Database to identify studies meeting the Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome, and Study Design (PICOS) framework. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating prosthetic impression techniques for severely resorbed mandibular ridges were included in the review. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) tool for RCTs. Data extraction was carried out independently by two authors, with disagreements resolved by third authors. The study adhered to PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews.
Results:
A total of 6 studies were included in the final analysis. The results indicated that prosthetic impression techniques such as the neutral zone, functional impressions, two-step impressions, and admixed methods showed improvements in denture stability and retention. No single impression technique consistently outperformed others across all outcomes. Techniques such as the neutral zone impression and single-step methods showed favourable results in certain scenarios, highlighting the importance of individualized clinical decision-making.
Conclusion:
The currently available evidence on prosthetic impression techniques for severely resorbed mandibular ridges is limited and heterogeneous, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions regarding the most effective approach. Some studies report improvements in outcomes such as retention, stability, and patient comfort with techniques including the neutral zone and functional impressions. However, no single technique has proven universally superior, and patient-specific factors should guide clinical decision-making. Future large-scale RCTs are required to refine clinical guidelines and assess the durability of prosthetic outcomes over time.
Prospero Registration Number:
CRD420251008136.
