Broad term which describes decrease in facial height, the loss of muscular tone, the downturn of the corners of the mouth, a seemingly flattened face due to the loss of canines, and sunken cheeks indicative of an aged appearance. It includes Kelly syndrome which shows  Loss of bone from the anterior portion of the maxillary ridge; Hyperplasia of the tuberosities; Papillary hyperplasia of the hard palate’s mucosa;  Supraeruption of the mandibular anterior teeth; Loss of alveolar bone and ridge height beneath the mandibular removable partial denture bases. Also Saunders added these; Loss of vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO); Occlusal plane discrepancy; Anterior spatial repositioning of the mandible; Poor adaptation of the prostheses; Epulis fissuratum;Periodontal change.

AHS is caused by compromised post occlusal support and collapsed VDO. Dental implants gave dentists better resources to tackle the challenge than any other treatment modality. However,  supraeruption of the mandibular anterior teeth, inappropriate position and length of anterior teeth and subsequent occlusal plane discrepancy should be corrected according to the patient’s clinical condition. Presented cases are varied forms of AHS and we should be able to notice what is causing the condition and treat the case accordingly. For the best treatment outcome, diagnosis is the pivotal part.

Reference

Vol Assist Clin Prof UCSF, iSmile Dental Sunnyvale CA KIMBERLY KIM DDS