Fabrication of Conventional Complete Denture in Resorbed Mandibular Ridge with Deficient Keratinized Mucosa Using Free Gingival Graft

Long standing edentulism often results in dimensional changes in the bone as well as in the soft tissue. The severity of these changes depends upon the span of edentulism, systemic and oral well-being of the patient. Complete denture prosthesis rests on the basal seat area that primarily consists of oral mucosa and residual alveolar ridge. The oral mucosa underneath the denture has unique characteristic of being displaceable and compressible. This factor was described by Hanau as 'resiliency and like effect', Realeff Effect that plays an important role in all the steps of compete denture fabrication. In a case of extreme bone resorption, the bone and mucosa both diminishes with time. The reduced thickness of keratinized mucosa make denture bearing area more prone to trauma. This article describes a simple pre-prosthetic surgical technique for soft tissue augmentation in rehabilitation of extremely resorbed mandibular ridge with deficient mucosa to improve support for complete denture.