MEAN PERCENT REDUCTION IN MANDIBULAR RIDGE HEIGHT IN EDENTULOUS PATIENTS

Abstract

Complete edentulism is the physical state of the jaw following removal of all erupted teeth and the condition of the supporting structures available for reconstructive /replacement therapies. The evaluation of decrease in alveolar ridge height can be done by different radiographic techniques using lateral cephlaographs or panoramic radiographs. The purpose of this study was to determine the mean percent reduction in mandibular ridge height in edentulous patients. This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Prosthodontics, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Karachi. Fifty male patients were enrolled in the study from July 2015 to May 2016. Wical and Swoope method was used to measure ridge resorption. The mean age of the study population was 63.02 12.19 years. The mean duration of edentulism years was 3.37 2.99 years. The mean decrease in mandibular ridge height according to age in group 1(40-60 years) was 7.57 3.13mm and in group 2(61-80 years) was 7.96 5.55mm (p-value 0.59). Mean percentage decrease in mandibular ridge height according to duration of edentulism in group A(1-5 years) was 24.43 10.38% and in group B (6-10 years) was 21.30 9.32% (p-value 0.39). The results of this study show that residual ridge reduction occurs in all patients. Reduced ridge height can lead to compromised success of prostheses. Therefore due consideration should be given to minimize the resorptive processes.