Relationship between size of denture foundation area and resorption of alveolar ridge in the edentulous mandible

The relationship between the size of the denture foundation area and the resorption of the alveolar ridge was investigated in 55 edentulous subjects. The denture foundation area was recorded using a modelling compound impression technique with border moulding. Both sides of each edentulous mandible were examined separately, making a total of 110 experimental sides in the study. On a stone cast made from each impression, the size of the superficial denture foundation area and of the projected denture foundation area on the tentative plane of occlusion of each anatomical zone were measured. The vertical height of the alveolar ridge at the lateral incisor and first molar region was also evaluated. The size of the superficial denture foundation area in the antero-lingual and postero-lingual zones showed no significant correlation with the degree of alveolar ridge resorption. The size of the projected denture foundation area on the tentative plane of occlusion in the anterior section showed negative significant correlation with the degree of alveolar ridge resorption. The size of the projected denture foundation area on the tentative plane of occlusion in the posterior section showed no significant correlation with the degree of alveolar ridge resorption.