Mandibular bone resorption in patients treated with tissue-integrated prostheses and in complete-denture wearers

Mandibular bone resorption was studied in patients treated with tissue-integrated prostheses (TIP) and in complete-denture wearers by distance and area measurements on cephalometric radiographs. The area measurements were performed by means of a computer. Two TIP groups with short and long periods (x = 2.4 and 23.9 years) of edentulousness and wearing complete dentures before fixture installation were followed up over 7–8 years. Mandibular bone resorption was remarkably small behind the distally positioned fixtures in comparison with the corresponding region in complete-denture wearers. Patients with complete dentures showed a continuous resorption of the mandibular alveolar ridge over 21 years, even though there were great individual variations. The bone loss was most pronounced anteriorly and during the first 2 years after extraction of the residual teeth. It is concluded that treatment with tissue-integrated prostheses seems to reduce bone resorption in the mandible, probably owing to favorable load co...