Prosthetic Rehabilitation With a Tooth-Supported Overdenture Utilizing Ball Attachments and a Customized Intraoral Tracer: A Case Report

The preservation of the residual ridge remains a fundamental objective in prosthodontic rehabilitation, particularly following tooth extraction. Retaining two or more natural teeth as abutments facilitates effective management of partially edentulous arches. Tooth-supported overdentures, as part of preventive prosthodontics, aid in conserving natural teeth, preserving proprioception, and minimizing alveolar bone resorption. Additionally, establishing a balanced occlusion further enhances denture stability and reduces ridge resorption. A 60-year-old male patient presented with difficulty in mastication due to the loss of multiple teeth in both the maxillary and mandibular arches. Clinical evaluation showed total edentulism in the maxillary arch, whereas the mandibular arch exhibited partial edentulism with the presence of teeth 33, 43, and 44. The proposed treatment plan emphasized preservation of the remaining dentition and prosthetic restoration using a conventional complete denture for the maxillary arch and a mandibular overdenture supported by retained teeth with ball attachments. A customized intraoral tracer was utilized to achieve precise jaw relation records, and balanced occlusion was incorporated to optimize prosthetic function and ridge preservation. This report highlights that tooth-supported overdentures offer significant advantages in preserving the residual ridge and enhancing the functional and psychological outcomes of prosthodontic rehabilitation. The combined use of a customized intraoral tracer and balanced occlusion significantly enhanced the overall retention, support, and function of the prosthesis.