Restoration of the atrophic, edentulous mandible.

Twenty-five years' experience in treating the atrophic mandible has convinced us that the ramus frame is the finest service we can provide the patient who is afflicted with this condition. Modifications in the design and placement have solved problems encountered with past use of this treatment modality. When one considers the relative comfort and function resulting from a fully-implant-supported prosthesis, the moderate cost of this one-piece custom-fabricated implant, and the fact that the implant and overdenture can be placed in one appointment, we believe that a resurgence will take place in the use of this treatment modality. The patient's ability to have immediate function, although limited to softer foods, is due to the large area of cortical bone supporting the implant. The most appreciative group of patients within our large implant practice consists of those patients who have had this procedure.