A Neutral Zone Concept - An Overview

Providing complete denture therapy to patients with atrophic residual alveolar ridges is challenging. Because these patients suffer ongoing diminution of the denture foundation, modern approaches often involve dental implant therapy as a means of improving the denture foundation and supplementing the mechanics of prosthesis support, retention, and stability. Regardless of implant availability, physiologically optimal denture contours and physiologically appropriate denture tooth arrangement should be achieved to maximize prosthesis stability, comfort, and function for patients. The neutral zone technique for denture fabrication has an advantage that it stabilizes the denture with the surrounding musculature, instead of being dislodged by them. This article attempts to present historical overview on the concept of neutral zone in dentistry.