IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-8-4-18707 Original Research Paper Neutral Zone: Concept and Technique for Stabilizing Complete Denture– Case Report Surendra Prasad Dr. Dr. Ankita Priya Dr. Dr. Nagbhushan Mandal Dr. April 2019 8 4 01 02 ABSTRACT

Resorption of mandibular ridges is a multifactorial and biomechanical disease that is chronic, progressive, irreversible, and cumulative leading to loss of sulcular depth, vertical dimension loss, and decreased lower facial height. Some common neurological, hormonal, and metabolic disorders affect the adaptability of dentures, and this can be diagnosed by a trained prosthodontist with proper history–taking and clinical examination. The denture becomes passive due to complex neuromuscular control and causes difficulties in impression–making, mastication, and swallowing, which in turn leads to loss of retention and stability in complete dentures. Hence, residual ridge resorption becomes a challenging scenario for a clinician during fabrication of complete dentures. The neutral zone concept plays a significant role in overcoming these challenges. The neutral zone is the area where the outward forces from the tongue are neutralized or nullified by the forces of the lips and cheeks acting inward during functional movements. The neutral zone technique is an alternative approach for the construction of lower complete dentures.. The technique aims to construct a denture that is shaped by muscle function and is in harmony with the surrounding oral structures