Treatment of abnormal oral anatomical changes in dentulous patients

Normal oral anatomical structures become abnormal with advancing age as the result of physiologic resorption of the alveolar process. In the maxilla, the anterior nasal spine and the hamular process may become prominent following severe resorption. In the mandible the genial tubercle and mental nerve may similarly become superficial and cause pain and discomfort. Minor surgical procedures may alleviate symptoms and can solve them completely. Four of these procedures are described.