Open-faced maxillary overdenture: A simplified approach for enhanced esthetics

Abstract

In partially edentulous patients, preservation of remaining teeth is of paramount importance. So, usually the remaining periodontally compromised teeth are preserved as overdenture abutments by reducing their coronal height. However, if this approach is adopted for anterior maxillary teeth, a prominent premaxillary segment poses challenges in terms of esthetics. This case report describes a modified approach for the management of a patient with extremely mutilated dentition having partially edentulous maxillary and mandibular arches. The maxillary anterior teeth were preserved as overdenture abutments resulting in prominent premaxilla, which was successfully rehabilitated using open faced denture that provided enhanced esthetics. Flangeless or open-faced denture exhibits promising results for rehabilitation of patients with prominent premaxilla without jeaopardising the peripheral seal along with superior esthetic outcome. It can serve as a valuable treatment modality as in cautiously selected cases.