Indigenous ball and socket implant supported mandibular overdenture: A case report

Edentulism is a major health concern of old age. Indigenous implant based over dentures offer a cost effective option for severely resorbed dental ridges. Here, we report rehabilitation of a resorbed mandibular arch with indigenous implant supported overdenture and maxillary arch with a conventional denture. Two ball and socket implants were placed bilaterally in the parasymphyseal area. Existing denture was relined to accommodate the ‘ball head’ of the implant in the interim period. Four months later, when patient was taken up for denture fabrication, the ‘socket part’ of the ball and socket implant was incorporated into the new denture base. The socket provided a fitting surface for the implant. Implant supported overdenture significantly increased the retention, support and stability of the lower denture. Further, it worked well with the upper conventional denture. The simple design and efficacy of indigenous implant based overdenture holds promising aspects in the treatment of edentulism.