Overdenture a complete or partial removable denture supported by retained roots that is intended to provide improved support, stability, and tactile and proprioceptive sensation and to reduce ridge resorption. (Mosby. Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Elsevier, 2004.).

Advantages Preserve alveolar ridge Possibly -support -proprioreception -retention (eventually) -stress distribution

Disadvantages Poor oral hygiene -caries and periodontal disease Soft tissue undercuts -esthetics -retention Breakage of denture -thin -stress concentration over abutments

Selection of abutment teeth One per quadrant Not adjacent teeth Usually mandibular cuspids and premolars Maxillary cuspids frequently cause esthetic and retention problems due to soft tissue undercuts

Overdentures Regard as transitional - need perfect oral hygiene -daily non acidulated topical fluoride (sodium fluoride) Probably better to place 2 implants