International Journal of Dental Sciences and Research, 2017, Vol. 5, No. 2, 31-34 Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/ijdsr/5/2/4 ©Science and Education Publishing DOI:10.12691/ijdsr-5-2-4 Fenestrated Denture: A Grace Option To Edentulous Patient Wael M. Zakaria * Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Qassim University, Saudia Arabia *Corresponding author: dr.wael.zakaria@qudent.org Abstract Edentulism can lead directly to impairment, functional limitation, physical, psychological, and social disability, and handicap. Edentulism was found to have a significant effect on residual ridge resorption, which leads to a reduction in the height of alveolar bone and the size of the denture bearing area. Fenestrated denture is a concept which preserves remaining teeth. This case report discusses the advantages of exploitation few remaining teeth to minimize alveolar ridge resorption and improvement of retention and support through using fenestrated denture which overcomes many problems encountered by complete denture and removable partial denture patients. Keywords: fenestrated denture, bone resorption, edentulism Cite This Article: Wael M. Zakaria, “Fenestrated Denture: A Grace Option To Edentulous Patient.” International Journal of Dental Sciences and Research, vol. 5, no. 2 (2017): 31-34. doi: 10.12691/ijdsr-5-2-4. 1. Introduction Edentulism is a debilitating and irreversible condition and is described as the “final marker of disease burden for oral health” [1]. Although the prevalence of complete tooth loss has declined over the last decade, edentulism remains a major disease worldwide, especially among older adults [2]. Edentulism has a series of deleterious consequences for oral and general health. Oral consequences vary from the well-known residual ridge resorption to an impaired masticatory function, an unhealthy diet, social disability, and poor oral health quality of life. Edentulous individuals are also at greater risk for different systemic diseases and an increase in mortality rate [3]. Bone loss is an ongoing process following tooth loss [4], affecting the mandible four times more than the maxilla [5]. The emotional effects of tooth loss are devastating for some patients and have a negative impact on their life [6]. Therefore, oral health care providers should prevent tooth loss with proper dental education, oral health promotion, and a high level of dental care in an attempt to assure the existence of a physiologic dentition [3]. Preventive Prosthodontics emphasize on the importance of any procedure that prevents or delays future Prosthodontics problem [7]. Some cclinical studies have shown that resilient denture liners are beneficial for complete denture wearers [8,9]. In addition, laboratory studies suggest that the mechanical properties of resilient denture liners, such as flexibility, resilience, and shock-absorbency, offer greater versatility for edentulous patients who are unable to use their dentures; this was especially true for mandibular dentures [10]. A soft lining material may be defined as a soft elastic and resilient material forming all or part of the fit (impression) surface of a denture. Elasticity ensures that the material will regain its original shape following deformation while resilience is also important because it determines the rate of recovery. This has led some to label these materials as resilient, but soft lining material is more correct, as it is the softness or ease of deformation that particularly separates them from other denture base materials. Permanent soft lining materials can be broadly classified as plasticized acrylic resins (“soft acrylics”) or silicone elastomers (“silicone rubbers”). Both are subdivided into heat and auto‑polymerized types [11]. This case report discusses the exploitation of few remaining teeth to minimize alveolar ridge resorption and to improve retention and support through using Chair side soft liner fitted fenestrated denture 2. Case Report A 65 years old male patient reported to the Dental Clinic Center, Dental College, Qassim University, KSA. The patient was asked to replace his missing teeth due to difficulty in chewing and unpleasant appearance. Intraoral examination revealed a completely edentulous upper arch opposing mandibular Kennedy’s Class I partially edentulous arch with unilateral remaining lower lateral, canine and premolars (Figure 1). Clinically, no mobility was found for remaining lower teeth. Periodontal findings were significant calculus and gingival recession, with no pocket formation. No carious lesion was found in the remaining lower teeth. The patient was systemically free. The radiographs revealed an acceptable crown root ratio around remaining lower teeth. No remaining roots or pathological lesion was detected in both arches.