Clinical Dilemma: Flabby Ridges and the Quest for Aesthetic Denture Fit

TL;DR

This paper discusses the challenges of fitting dentures on flabby ridges and presents a case report of a successful treatment approach.

Contribution

The paper contributes a case report of an alternative impression technique for managing flabby ridges in prosthodontic treatment.

Findings

Flabby ridges can compromise denture stability and peripheral seal due to dynamic soft tissue.

Alternative impression techniques can improve outcomes in patients with flabby ridges.

Prosthodontic treatment requires careful adjustments and caution when dealing with flabby ridges.

Abstract

A flabby ridge is a hyperplastic and movable soft tissue that affects both maxillary and mandibular ridges most commonly the maxillary anterior region. This tissue that supports the denture is dynamic and can be dislodged by masticatory pressures, which affects denture stability and causes a loss of peripheral seal. The mobile tissue may be distorted as a result of forces applied during the impression-making process.

For dental practitioners, fabricating dentures on a flabby ridge might be a Herculean endeavor because the dentures may not be stable and may not yield satisfactory outcomes. When treating such patients, practitioners should use extra caution. While treating such circumstances, adjustments to standard impression processes can be helpful. There are several ways to address flabby ridges, such as implant therapy, balanced occlusal load distribution, surgical management, and unique impression techniques. In this case report, a patient with a flabby ridge is treated prosthodontically via an alternative impression approach.

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