Comparing Facial Esthetic and Volumetric Changes of an Edentulous Patient After Either Conventional or Neutral Zone Technique

Abstract

The aim of the present case report was to compare the soft tissue measurements, volumetric differences on face of the patient whose complete dentures were fabricated either with conventional or neutral zone impression techniques. Two different complete dentures were fabricated according to conventional and neutral zone impression techniques. The measurement of soft tissue changes was evaluated on lateral cephalograms; conventional technique (L1), neutral zone technique (L2) and with no dentures (L3). Three images (I) were taken on the same day respectively with dentures completed by conventional technique (I1), dentures completed by neutral zone technique (I2), and with no dentures (I3). Superimposition of the images were evaluated. The cephalometric soft tissue measurements of the present case showed that upper and lower lips were positioned anteriorly in both conventional (L1) and neutral zone techniques (L2) on sagittal plane. These results could be attributed to the fact that the placement of the prosthesis in mouth helps directing lip position with big linear measurements. Volumetric difference between conventional (I1) and no denture (I3) images was more pronounced compared to neutral zone (I2) superposition with no denture (I3).