Margaret A.  Jergenson, Neil S.  Norton ,Barbara J.  O’Kane,Gilbert M. Willett,Laura C.  Barritt ,
Case Report: An Extreme Case of Alveolar Bone Resorption in an Edentulous Mandible
Dental Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research
2019
2613-4950
http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.DOBCR.2019.02.03
https://www.sciencerepository.org/case-report-an-extreme-case-of-alveolar-bone-resorption-in-an-edentulous-mandible_DOBCR-2019-2-103 
Abstract: The alveolar processes of the mandible and maxilla develop in response to tooth eruption and serve as the
principal mechanism of tooth support. When teeth are lost or extracted, the result is resorption of the alveolar
bone. The rate of resorption is variable between individuals but will progress over time. During dissection,
varying examples of alveolar resorption are observed in edentulous donors. A 76-year-old female donor
presented an extreme case of alveolar bone resorption during dissection in our Head and Neck Anatomy
course. The body of the mandible in this case was extremely short, with a vertical height in the molar region
of 5mm and 8mm in the canine area. The dissection revealed the superior surface of the bone to have an
open groove containing the inferior alveolar nerve and vessels. The maxilla also demonstrated severe
resorption. This loss of bone has significant implications for restoration of function by dental implants or
removable prosthesis. It is not unusual to find resorption that has significantly reduced the height of the
mandibular body to the extent that the mental foramen opens superiorly on the bone. However, an open
mandibular canal with the neurovascular bundle exposed throughout the dental arch is much more unusual.
Individuals with this degree of resorption present great challenges in treatment. There is no means to provide
retention for a mandibular removable prosthesis. Pressure of prosthesis on the inferior alveolar and mental
nerves would potentially produce pain and paresthesia and/or numbness. Placement of dental implants is
complicated at best. To provide minimal requirements for implant placement would require vertical
augmentation of the mandible along with transposition/reposition of the inferior alveolar nerve
Keywords: Edentulous mandible, residual ridge resorption, dental implants