Modalities of treatment for the combination syndrome

A series of destructive changes occurring in the jaws of patients wearing a complete maxillary denture opposed by a mandibular distal extension removable partial denture have been described as the combination syndrome. However, the syndrome does not occur in all patients. Those patients who have not developed signs of the combination syndrome and whose mandibular anterior teeth are well preserved and not overerupted may be treated conservatively with a mandibular removable partial denture. A properly designed removable partial denture that distributes occlusal stresses over hard and soft tissues minimizes the risk of developing the combination syndrome. Nevertheless, the overdenture seems to provide a more predictable prognosis, especially for patients who already have the combination syndrome or whose mandibular anterior teeth are structurally or periodontally compromised or overerupted. The treatment modality is determined by the apparent potential of the patient to develop the combination syndrome and by the condition of the remaining mandibular anterior teeth.