Some anatomical considerations for implant supported restorations in edentulous patients.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: After the loss of the natural teeth, the alveolar process and part of the basal bone remodels, resulting in edentulous residual jaws. In edentulous patients, the residual arches provide the vital tissues on which to place the denture bases and the artificial teeth into their selected positions. The residual arches also furnish the foundation of osseo-integrated implants for the planned restorations. PURPOSE: To examine some characteristics of the edentulous arches, the relations between the occluding jaws and their clinical importance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 212 stone casts mounted in centric relation, from one hundred and six edentulous patients were examined and surveyed. The measurements included the length, the width of the maxillary and mandibular edentulous arches and the inter jaw distances at anterior and posterior regions. RESULTS: Of the one hundred and six participants, 62.3% were female and 37.7% male subjects. The maximallary arch length and width varied from 36 to 71mm, and between 36 to 58mm, respectively. The mandibular length and width differed from 32 to 55mm, and between 48 to 62mm. Higher width values of maxilla and mandibles were found among males as compared to females (p