Residual Ridge Resorption (RRR)

lec: 1
‫ د رغداء كريم جاسم‬.‫ا‬
Residual bone: that component of maxillary or mandibular bone that remains after
the teeth are lost.
Residual ridge: the portion of the residual bone and its soft tissue covering that
remains after the removal of teeth
Residual ridge crest: the most prominent continuous surface of the residual ridge,
not necessarily coincident with the center of the ridge;
Residual ridge resorption: is a term used for the diminishing quantity and quality
of residual ridge after teeth are extracted. It is a chronic, progressive and irreversible
process with the rate being fastest in the first 6 months after extraction. The size of
the residual ridge is reduced most rapidly in the first six months, but the bone
resorption activity of the residual ridge continues throughout life at a slower rate,
resulting in removal of a large amount of jaw structure. This unique phenomenon
has been described as residual ridge reduction.

Post tooth extraction, a cascade of inflammatory reactions is immediately activated,

and the extraction socket is temporarily sealed by blood clotting. Epithelial tissues
begin its proliferation and migration within the first week and the disrupted tissue
integrity is quickly restored. Histologic evidence of active bone formation in the
bottom of the socket is seen as early as 2weeks after the extraction and the socket is
progressively filled with newly formed bone in about 6 months. The most striking
feature of the extraction wound healing is that even after the healing of wounds, the
residual ridge alveolar bone undergoes a lifelong catabolic remodeling.

The rate of RRR is different among persons and even at different times and sites in
the same person.

A basic concept of bone structure and its functional elements must be clear before
bone resorption can be understood. The structural elements of bone are:

a. Osteocytes: These are cells responsible for metabolic activity of bone.

b. intercellular substance or bone matrix consisting of fibrils or called Calcified
cementing substance: The calcified cementing substance consists mainly of
polymerized glycoprotein. Mineral salts namely calcium carbonate and phosphates
are bound to these protein substances.
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c. Osteoblasts: Osteoblasts, by their function of forming and calcifying the
intercellular substance, are the active bone forming cells. The osteoblasts surround
the bone in a continuous layer. In the course of bone formation, some osteoblasts get
engulfed in the intercellular substance and become osteocytes.
d. Osteoclasts: Osteoclasts are the cellular components of bone that are responsible
for bone resorption. Bone resorption always requires the simultaneous elimination
of the organic and inorganic components of the intercellular substance.
Alveolar bone has two structural characteristics. A hard compact outer layer
is superimposed on a spongy somewhat resilient substructure. A healthy and
thoroughly healed alveolar process has a layer of wear resistant compact bone of
varying thickness. Beneath the compact bone is the spongy bone. The spaces
between the trabeculae communicate throughout the spongy bone. Bone is
constantly undergoing changes in response to replacement and functional demands .

Pathology of RRR:

1.Gross Pathology:
A frequent lay expression for RRR is “My gums have shrunk”. Actually the basic
change in RRR is a reduction in the size of the bony ridge under the mucoperiosteum.
It is primarily a localized of bone structure. Sometimes it may leave the overlying
mucoperiosteum excessive and redundant.
There exists a wide variety of shapes and sizes of residual ridges.
They are categorized into common residual ridge configuration in a
system of six orders given by Atwood Order
Order 1 : Pre-extraction
Order 2 : Post extraction
Order 3 : High, well rounded
Order 4 : Knife-edge
Order 5 : Low, well rounded
Order 6 : Depressed

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RRR does not stop with residual ridge, but may go well below where apices of teeth
were, sometimes leaving only a thin cortical plate on the inferior border of the
mandible or virtually no maxillary alveolar process of the upper jaw. In clinical
examination usually one can visually judge the residual ridge form. However,
sometimes a knife-edge ridge may be masked by redundant or inflamed soft tissues.
2.Microscopic Pathology: Microscopic studies have revealed osteoclastic
activity on the external surface of the crest of residual ridges. The scalloped margins
of Howships lacunae sometimes contain visible osteoclasts which cause bone
resorption. There exists a wide variation in the configuration, density and porosity
of the residual ridges, sometimes even with evidence of osteoporosis.
Studies have shown the presence of new bone and reversal lines inside the residual
ridge and minute areas of bony repair on the periosteal side in some specimens. The
mucoperiosteum shows varying degrees of keratinization, acanthosis, edema and
architectural pattern of mucosal epithelium in the same mouth and between subjects.
Similarly, varying degrees of inflammatory cells are found in areas that appear from
clinically normal to frankly inflamed in edentulous patients or who were denture or
non-denture wearers. Inflammatory cells include lymphocytes and plasma cells.
There exists proximity of small blood vessels to area of bone resorption.

Pathogenesis of RRR:

Immediately following the extraction (order II), any sharp edges remaining are
rounded off by external osteoclastic resorption, leaving a high well rounded residual
ridge (order III). As resorption continues from the labial and lingual aspects, the
crest of the ridge becomes increasingly narrow ultimately becoming knife-edged
(order IV). As the process continues, the knife-edge becomes shorter and even
eventually disappears, leaving a low well rounded or flat ridge (order V). Eventually,
this too resorbs, leaving a depressed ridge (order VI).RRR is chronic, progressive,
irreversible and cumulative.

According to the American college of prosthodontists: Based on Bone Height

(Mandible only)

Type I : Residual bone height of 21 mm or greater measured at the least vertical

height of the mandible.
Type II : Residual bone height of 16 - 20 mm measured at least vertical height of
the mandible.

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Type III : Residual alveolar bone height of 11 - 15 mm measured at the least
vertical height of the mandible.
Type IV : Residual vertical bone height of 10 mm or less measured at the least
vertical height of the mandible

Direction of bone resorption

 Maxilla resorbs upward and inward to become progressively smaller because
of the direction and inclination of the roots of the teeth and the alveolar process.
 The opposite is true of the mandible, which inclines outward and becomes
progressively wider.
 This progressive change of the edentulous mandible and maxilla makes many
patients appear prognathic.

Thus, RRR is centripetal in maxilla and centrifugal in mandible.

Patterns of bone resorption

In the Mandible, large proportions of bone loss occurs in the

 labial side of anterior residual ridge,

 equally on the buccal and lingual side in premolar region and
 lingually in the posterior or molar region.
In the Maxilla bone loss primarily occurs on the labial or buccal aspect.
Therefore, while teeth arrangement we should try to restore the natural
position of the teeth before they were lost, Hence
 Teeth in the maxillary arch are arranged slightly labially and buccally .
 While in the mandible, teeth in the anterior region are arranged labially, on the
center of the ridge in the premolar region and slightly lingually in the molar
region.

Maxilla V/s Mandible

o It is a clinically acknowledged fact that the anterior mandible resorbs 4 times
faster than the anterior maxilla.
o Woelfel et al have cited the projected maxillary denture area to be 4.2 sq in
and 2.3 sq in for the mandible; which is in the ratio of 1.8:1.
o If a patient bites with a pressure of 50 lbs, this is calculated to be 12 lbs/sq in
under the maxillary denture and 21 lbs/sq under the mandibular denture.

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 The significant difference in the two forces may be a causative factor to cause
a difference in the rates of resorption.
o Cancellous bone is ideally designed to absorb and dissipate the forces it is
subjected to.
o The maxillary residual ridge is often broader, flatter, and more cancellous than
the mandibular ridge.
o Trabeculae in maxilla are oriented parallel to the direction of compression
deformation, allowing for maximal resistance to deformation.
o The stronger these trabeculae are, the greater is the resistance

Consequences of RRR:
a. There is apparent loss of sulcus width and depth.
b. Muscle attachments are displaced closer to the crest of the residual ridge. Due
to loss of VDO lower face height is reduced and mandible is rotated anteriorly.
c. Patient may develop habitual prognathic appearance.
d. Inter-alveolar ridge relationship is altered.
e. Morphological changes in residual ridge may appear such as sharp, spiny,
uneven residual ridges.
f. Resorption of the mandibular canal wall and exposure of the mandibular nerve.
g. Location of the mental foramina close to the top of the mandibular residual ridge.
This provides serious problems to the clinician on how to provide adequate
support, stability and retention of the denture.

Etiology of RRR

In equilibrium the two antagonistic actions (of osteoblasts and osteoclasts) are in
balance. Ingrowth, although resorption is constantly taking place in the remodeling
of bones as they grow, increased osteoblastic activity more than makes up for the
bone destruction. Whereas in osteoporosis, osteoblasts are hypoactive, and, in the
resorption related to hyperparathyroidism, increased osteoblastic activity is unable
to keep up with the increased osteoclastic activity.

Ridge resorption varies directly with some systemic or localized bone resorptive
factors and inversely with some bone formation factors

RRR α bone resorption factors

bone formation factors

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Systemic factors influence the balance between the normal bone formation and bone
resorption. These factors create a natural resistance to unfavorable local factors.
They are-
1. Estrogen.
2. Thyroxin.
3. Growth hormone.
4. Androgens.
5. Calcium.
6. Phosphorus.
7. Vitamin D.
8. Protein.
9. Fluoride.

Some local biochemical factors in relation to periodontal disease which affects the
ridge resorption-
1. Endotoxins from dental plaque on unclear dentures.
2. Osteoclast activating factor (OAF).
3. Prostaglandins.
4. Human gingival bone resorption stimulating factors.
5. Heparin acts as a cofactor in bone resorption which is produced from mast cells

RRR is a multi-factorial, biomechanical disease that results from a combination of

anatomic, metabolic and mechanical determinants (functional and prosthetic).

1- Anatomic Factors: these factors includes amount of bone and quality of bone.

Amount of bone: When we clinically examine a completely edentulous foundation,

we tend to gauge the residual ridge on the basis of it being high/low, broad/narrow,
rounded/spiny, covered by thick/thin mucoperiosteum.
the rate of vertical bone loss in broad, high ridge may actually be slower than that
of a narrow ridge because there is more bone to be resorbed per unit of time and
because the rate of resorption also depends on the density of the bone.

Quality of bone: On theoretic grounds, the denser the bone, the slower the rate of
resorption because there is more bone to be resorbed per unit of time.

2 Metabolic factors: it includes both nutritional disturbances and hormonal

causative factors.

Metabolic factors:-a.Hormonal Factors

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1.Pituitary Glands and Hypophysis

The hypophysis is the master gland of the endocrine system. The control of the
hypophysis over the endocrine system is complex and problems of dysfunction
require the analysis of an endocrinologist. Such findings are of importance to the
dentist because they involve the general health of the patient, which is reflected in
the oral cavity.

2. Thyroid Glands

They are responsible for the regulation of the rate of metabolism. Hyperthyroidism
increases the metabolic rate leading to negative nitrogen balance. Such a balance is
equivalent to protein deficiency, which can be a direct cause of osteoporosis.
Thyroxin also has a direct influence on the kidneys, causing an increased excretion
of calcium and phosphorus. This depletion of calcium and phosphorus results in
decreased bone apposition and increased osteoclastic activity.

3.Parathyroid Glands

Parathormone maintains blood calcium by mobilizing it from the bones through

osteoclastic activity.

4.Islets of Langerhans

The failure of these glands to produce sufficient insulin for proper utilization of
glucose causes diabetes mellitus. The syndrome of poor healing, low tissue tolerance
and rapid resorption of bone is associated with the diabetic patient. In the absence of
insulin, a relative nitrogen starvation occurs from increased gluconeogenesis with
the amino acids being diverted from protein synthesis. A diabetic controlled by
either insulin or diet is not affected by this mechanism. Since perfect control is rarely
possible, a word of caution and explanation to diabetic patients is necessary so that
they can appreciate their prosthetic difficulties.

5.Suprarenal Glands

The adrenal cortex produces steroid hormones called corticoids. Cortisone and
related steroids are antianabolic. It may induce the formation of glucose from
carbohydrates and may increase the calcium loss by direct effect on calcium
excretion. The prolonged use and administration of such steroids are considered very

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dangerous to bone tissue. However, one of the beneficial effects of corticoids is to
control the defense mechanism of inflammation.

6. Gonads

In general, the sex hormone (androgens and estrogens) promotes a protein anabolic
action on all tissues including bone. A moderate amount of osteoporosis
accompanies senescence because of the increased catabolic action reflected by
atrophic and degenerative changes throughout the body. The ageing person produces
decreased amount of androgens and estrogens, which results in faulty protein
metabolism for tissue repair. The bone matrix suffers and normal bone loss cannot
be compensated.

Metabolic factors:b.Dietary Factors

Food is classified as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and inorganic elements.

1.Protein

Protein is necessary to build and maintain tissue and to supply energy. The synthesis
of osteoid tissue in protein starved people is compromised and calcification is
decreased since the protein matrix is embarrassed.

Protein may not be available because of inadequate intake, improper assimilation or

excessive loss as in nephrosis or because it is utilized as calorie requirements because
of hyperthyroidism/ uncontrolled diabetes.

Inadequate incorporation of protein in diet (3 ounces/ day) will cause slow growth
of bone. Bone apposition cannot keep up with normal osteoclastic activity and a
negative bone factor exists.

2.Vitamins

The action of vitamins in many respects is said to be same as that of hormones. The
relationship of vitamins and hormones can be explained on the basis that the
endocrine glands produce intrinsic hormones and the vitamins are extrinsic
hormones.

Vitamin A: A deficiency of vitamin A may result in poor development and

calcification of bone. Prolonged deficiency of vitamin A causes renal damage by

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hornification of tubules, which then lose the capacity to reabsorb phosphorus. The
imbalance of the calcium: phosphorus ratio leads to osteoporosis.

Vitamin B complex: The total effect of vitamin B complex is of a regulatory nature.

Hypovitaminosis B results in loss of appetite, dietary insufficiency, increase in
nervous irritability resulting in lowered resistance to stress and emotional tension.
The total well-being of the individual is impaired.

Vitamin C: Lack of vitamin causes decalcification of the bone and has been held
responsible for diffuse alveolar atrophy. The apposition of new bone slows down
dramatically because osteoblastic activity is impaired. The collagen content of bones
is also reduced in vitamin deficiency. The periosteum thickness and the cells appear
immature and resemble fibroblasts. This condition may make the periosteum easily
prone to injury by the denture base. Osteophytes appear as a result of avitaminosis
C. The rapid loss of bone and the increased inflammation of the mucoperiosteum
cause the development of these bony outgrowths.

Vitamin D: It is necessary for the calcium phosphorus balance to remain within

tolerable limits. Vitamin D would be unnecessary if the exact required ratio of
calcium and phosphorus were available in the diet. When bone loses its ability to
calcify the matrix, administration of vitamin D will cause calcification and denser
bone. Moderate overdosage causes excessively mineralized bone, but gross
overdosage causes bone resorption. Many drugs act as vitamin antagonists. These
drugs act largely on vitamin C and B complex and their excessive use may cause a
marked vitamin deficiency.

Some of the common vitamin inhibitors are nicotine, alcohol, barbiturates,

morphine, some of the sulfa drugs and some of the antibiotics such as streptomycin
and penicillin.

3.Carbohydrates (Starch and Sugars)

They provide the chief source of energy. They are related only indirectly to bone
resorption through association with diabetes and by substitution for more favorable
foods.

4.Fats and Organic Substances

They are those, which yield heat and energy and only secondarily build/repair tissue.

5.Inorganic Elements

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Calcium salts (calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate)

form the rigid supporting structure of bones. Phosphorus in the form of calcium and
magnesium phosphate, gives hardness to bone. Abnormalities of the calcium
phosphorus elements of the blood stream may be associated with alveolar resorption
or rarefaction.

The body requires 0.7 gm of calcium/day, which can be obtained from 1 quart of
milk. Other sources of calcium are dairy products, spinach, oranges, celery,chard,
carrots and lettuce. The phosphorus need is about1.5 to 3 gm daily dependent upon
the form. Dry beans, milk, cheese, leafy vegetables, celery and carrots mayfulfill
these requirements.

Edentulous patients should follow a prescribed dietary regimen. This diet should be
low in carbohydrates and high in protein intake. The diet should include at least a
quart of milk or substitute dairy products, vegetables, fruits and a multiple vitamin
supplement.The normal equilibrium may be upset and pathologic bone loss may
occur if either bone resorption is increased or bone formation is decreased, or if both
occur.

 Since bone metabolism is dependent on cell metabolism, anything that

influences cell metabolism of osteoblasts and osteoclasts is important.
 The thyroid hormone affects the rate of metabolism of cells in general and
hence the activity of both, the osteoblasts and osteoclasts.
 Parathyroid hormone influences the excretion of phosphorous in the kidney
and also directly influences osteoclasts.
 The degree of absorption of Ca, P and proteins determines the amount of
building blocks available for the growth and maintenance of bone.
 Vit C aids in bone matrix formation.
 Vit D acts through its influence on the rate of absorption of calcium in the
intestines and on the citric acid content of bone.
 Various members of Vit B complex are necessary for bone cell metabolism.
 In general terms, anabolism exceeds catabolism during growth and
convalescence, levels off during most of adult life and is exceeded by
catabolism during disease and old age. Bone has its own specific metabolism
and undergoes equivalent changes. At no time during life is bone static, but
rather it is constantly rebuilding, resorbing and remodeling subject to
functional and metabolic stresses.

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Osteoporosis and residual ridge modeling:

The clinical and patho physiologic views of osteoporosis has been refined recently
to the concept of Type I and II osteoporosis.

Type I osteoporosis is defined as the specific consequence of menopausal estrogen

deprivation, and characteristically presents the bone mass loss, notably in the
trabecular bone.

Type II osteoporosis reflects a composite of age related changed in intestinal, renal

and hormonal function. Both cortical and trabecular bone are affected in Type II
osteoporosis.

3.Mechanical :a.Functional Factors:

Functional factors include the frequency, intensity, duration and direction of forces
applied to bone which are translated into cellular activity, resulting in either bone
formation or bone resorption, depending upon on the patients’ individual resistance
to these forces.

Wolff’s law postulates that all changes in the function of bone are attended by
definite alterations in its internal structure. Forces within physiologic limits of bone
are beneficial in their massaging effect. On the other hand, increased or sustained
pressure, through its disturbance to the circulatory system, produces bone resorption.
The amount and frequency of stress and its distribution and direction are important
factors in treatment planning. Although the total amount of the necessary
masticatory stress cannot be diminished, increasing tissue coverage and decreasing
the length and width of the occlusal table may lessen the load/unit area.

The frequency of stress application modifies the reaction of alveolar bone to external
forces. Constant pressure on bone causes resorption, while intermittent forces favor
bone formation. Since recurrent forces over short intervals of time have essentially
the same resorbing effect as constant pressure, a rest period between meals is
beneficial. For this reason, the patient should be warned that gum chewing has a
destructive effect on the bone.

Bruxism is an expression of nervous tension, which manifests itself as gnashing,

grinding or clenching of the teeth while the patient is asleep or awake. Since most
denture patients do grind their teeth in sleep, the dentures should not be worn during
this period. Thus the supporting structures are afforded the rest period essential to

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the maintenance of the alveolar bone. While grinding of the teeth when the patient
is awake may be a habit of tension, it may also be caused due to lack of interocclusal
distance.

The principal concern should be in the pattern and position of the posterior teeth.
There are two mandibular movements associated with mastication: a closing/cutting
movement and a lateral or grinding movement. A sharp cusp will penetrate a bolus
of food with less force than a flat occlusal form. However, a law of physics explains
that forces applied to an inclined plane produce a resultant force or vector
perpendicular or right angles to the plane. Applying this principle to occlusal form,
the resultant force of the steep incline of high cusps would produce a lateral force,
which might cause alveolar resorption.

Stress distribution favorable to healthy alveolar bone maintenance is dependent

principally upon bilateral balanced occlusion. Balanced occlusion is that
arrangement of the teeth, which will permit the necessary mandibular movements
without tending to dislodge the denture or traumatize the supporting structure

3.Mechanical: b.Prosthetic Factors:

The prosthetic factors are extremely difficult to evaluate because of tremendous

number of variables, including anatomic, metabolic and functional factors. The
traditional design of dentures includes many features whose goal is to reduce the
amount of force to the ridge and to thereby reduce RRR.

These prosthetic factors include

o broad-area coverage (to reduce the force per unit area);

o decreased number of dental units,
o decreased bucco-lingual width of teeth,
o and improved tooth form (to decrease the amount of force required to
penetrate a bolus of food);
o avoidance of inclined planes (to minimize dislodgement of dentures and shear
forces);
o centralization of occlusal contacts (to increase stability of dentures and to
maximize compressive forces);
o provision of adequate tongue room (to increase stability of denture in speech
and mastication);
o adequate inter-occlusal distance during rest jaw relation (to decrease the
frequency and duration of tooth contacts).

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 Treatment and Prevention of RRR: The best way to manage the problem of
residual ridge resorption is by using every means to prevent it.
a.Prevention of loss of natural teeth.Clinicians must try to retain residual roots
whenever feasible.
b. Proper design of dentures and maintenance.
 Optimal tissue health prior to making impression.
 Impression procedures
 Minimal pressure impression technique.
 Selective pressure impression technique: places stress on those
areas that best resist functional forces
 Adequate relief of non stress bearing areas eg. Crest of
mandibular ridge.
 Broad area of coverage helps in reducing the force /unit
area(Snow Shoe Effect) increased denture bearing area can greatly reduce
the load per unit area on the underlying mucosa and improve denture comfort,
always assuming that the OVD is not excessive.
 Avoidance of inclined planes to minimize dislodgment of
dentures and shear forces.
 Centralization of occlusal contacts to increase stability and
maximize compressive forces.
 Provision of adequate tongue room to improve stability of
denture in speech and mastication.
 Adequate interocclusal distance during jaw rest to decrease the
frequency and duration of tooth contact. Correcting the occlusal
vertical dimension: Clinical studies have shown increased (excessive) OVD to
be a common fault in many dentures. Guidelines suggest 2-5 mm of freeway
space, but this may need to be increased in order patients or for those patients
with atrophic mucosa overlying the residual ridges.

 Occlusal table should be narrow

The concept and arrangement of teeth in neutral zone helps the teeth to occupy
a space determined by the functional balance of the oro- facial and tongue
musculature. Eliminating disruptive occlusal contacts, which lead to denture in
stability
In general, occlusal tables tend to be too large. This leads to problems of support
and stability, which put too much pressure on the atrophic mucosa during
function.

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 Overdentures help minimize ridge resorption and contribute to enhance retention
stability, support of prosthesis along with preservation of proprioception.
 The introduction of dental implants has revolutionized clinical practice. Use of
implants for providing implant supported or implant assisted prosthesis also helps
avert continuing residual ridge resorption.

Reducing the forces required to drive the denture teeth through the bolus of food:
This may be achieved by either increasing the denture bearing area or reducing the
size and altering the morphology of the occlusal table.

1- Increasing the denture bearing area:

The smaller the size of the fitting surface of the denture, the greater are the loads
applied to the underlying mucosa. In such cases, the denture bearing area may be
increased using green stick impression compound before relining or by using a
chair-side relining material prior to the denture being relined conventionally.
2- Reducing the size and altering the morphology of the occlusal table.

c. Nutrition

 It has been seen that one of the cofactor in RRR is low calcium
and vitamin D metabolism.
 Diet counseling for prosthodontic patients is necessary to
correct imbalances in nutrient intake.
 Denture patients with excessive RRR report lower calcium intake
and poorer calcium phosphorus ratio, along with less vitamin D.

d. Preprosthetic surgery:

 Excessive RRR leads to loss of sulcus width and depth with displacement of
muscle attachment more to the crest of residual ridge.
 Osseous reconstruction surgeries, removal of high frenal attachments,
augmentation procedures, vestibuloplasties etc may be required to correct these
conditions.
e. Immediate dentures: Some authors claim that extraction
followed by immediate dentures reduces the ridge resorption.
f. Overdentures Tooth supported over dentures help in improved stress
distribution there by maintaining the integrity of residual ridge.

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A study was conducted with overdentures supported by canines and it was
seen that, the bone loss was 0.6mm where as 5mm in conventional complete
dentures.
g. Osseointegration and implant

Precautions during extraction to reduce RRR When a tooth is removed the labial
plate should be preserved.
 The labial periosteal covering should remain intact as its inner layer is
responsible for remodeling of bone.
 If a bone has to be removed it must be the palatal plate.

IMPORTANT NOTEs :

1. Reduction of residual ridges (RRR) needs to be recognized for what it is:a major
unsolved oral disease which causes physical, psychologic, and economic problems
for millions of people all over the world.

2. RRR is a chronic, progressive, irreversible, and disabling disease. At the present

time, the relative importance of various cofactors is not known.

3. Much is known about the pathology and the pathophysiology of this oral disease,
but we need to know much more about its pathogenesis, epidemiology, and etiology.

4. The ultimate goal of research of RRR is to find better methods of prevention or

control of the disease. Because prevention is the key.

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