TOOTH SUPPORTED OVERDENTURE: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO MANAGE THE OVERCONTOURING AND ENCROACHMENT OF INTER-OCCLUSAL DISTANCE IN A CONVENTIONAL TOOTH SUPPORTED OVER DENTURE PROSTHESIS.

The prosthetic rehabilitation of partially edentulous arch by an artificial substitute is always a challenge for the Prosthodontists. There is always a problem of retention, stability and support of the artificial prosthesis. It is most difficult to satisfy the patients who have high retentive demands especially in the Mandibular removal partial denture prosthesis. This paper presents a case where in few remaining natural teeth of the patient was used to enhance the retention, stability and support of the mandibular tooth supported overdenture prosthesis. The over-denture tends to be bulkier and overcontoured encroachment of inter-occlusal distance is another disadvantage. The concept of overdentures works by means for delaying the process of complete endentulism and helps in the preservation of bone. And above all, it gives the patient the satisfaction of having prosthesis with his natural teeth still present.  In this article, case reports with an innovative approach to manage the overcontouring and encroaching of inter-occlusal distance which is generally encountered in a conventional tooth supported over denture. Keywords: Over Denture, Natural teeth, Residual Alveolar Ridge, Primary coping, Secondary coping, Dental Ceramics.