THE ROLE OF THERAPEUTIC AND SURGICAL PREPARATION IN PROSTHODONTIC TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH COMPLETE SECONDARY EDENTULISM: MODERN APPROACHES AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract

 Complete secondary edentulism — a condition characterized by the total loss of teeth following previous prosthodontic or restorative treatments — remains a prevalent and challenging problem in modern dentistry. This condition not only affects the functional capabilities of the patient, such as mastication, phonetics, and aesthetics, but also has a profound impact on their psychological and social well-being. The rehabilitation of patients with complete secondary edentulism is particularly complex due to the compromised quality and quantity of the alveolar ridge, which may be affected by residual ridge resorption, soft tissue changes, and pre-existing pathologies.

Therapeutic and surgical preparation are critical steps in the successful prosthodontic rehabilitation of these patients. Therapeutic preparation includes interventions to address inflammation, mucosal diseases, or residual infection, ensuring a healthy oral environment conducive to prosthesis placement. On the other hand, surgical preparation involves procedures such as alveoloplasty, vestibuloplasty, or soft tissue augmentation, which aim to create a more favorable prosthetic foundation by reshaping the alveolar ridge and surrounding tissues.

Thus, exploring the therapeutic and surgical preparation of patients with complete secondary edentulism, along with the integration of modern clinical practices, is of paramount importance for dental practitioners. This ensures evidence-based, patient-centered care and better functional and aesthetic outcomes in prosthodontic rehabilitation.