title: An evaluation of the position of the neutral zone in relation to the crest of mandibular alveolar ridge - An In-vivo study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In view of the importance of neutral zone in complete denture construction, it was thought feasible to determine the relation between the centre of the alveolar ridge crest in relation to the neutral zone in a buccolingual direction which will help in positioning of the teeth in a region of minimum conflict so that the stability of the denture is enhanced.
  
  
  METHODS
  The position of the neutral zone to alveolar ridge crest was investigated in 30 edentulous patients comprising of both males and females divided into three groups, Group I consisted of ten patients whose period of edentulousness varied from 0-4 years. Group II included ten patients who were edentulous for more than 4 years but less than 8 years. Group III consisted of ten patients whose period of edentulousness varied between 8-12 years. One-way ANOVA test and multiple comparisons by bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to analyze the results and the significance was tabulated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the present study state that the neutral zone serves as a guide and suggests that the period of edentulousness should be considered while arranging the teeth for complete dentures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of the current study may serve as an important guide in arrangement of teeth for complete denture prosthesis and would help to determine the correlation between the neutral zone in relation to the crest of the alveolar ridge and the period of edentulousness. How to cite the article: Bhorgonde D, Nandakumar K, Khurana PR, Kumari VS, Reddy MS, Siddique S. An evaluation of the position of the neutral zone in relation to the crest of mandibular alveolar ridge - An In-vivo study. J Int Oral Health 2014;6(2):45-54.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, SB Patil Dental College, Bidar, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bhorgonde
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, MES Dental College, Malappuram, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nandakumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Institute of Dental Education and Advanced Studies, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Punit R S
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Khurana
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, MNR Dental College and Hospital, Sangareddy, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: V Santoshi
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, SVSIDS Dental College and Hospital, Mahabubnagar, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: M Sushendar
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Yenepoya Dental College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Sabin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siddique
keywords: Alveolar ridge; complete denture; edentulousness; neutral zone