How do patients with an overdenture typically present regarding alveolar bone loss?

Patients with an overdenture typically show less alveolar bone loss compared to those with conventional dentures. This is primarily because an overdenture is designed to be supported by the remaining natural teeth or roots, which provide some structural integrity and stimulation to the jawbone. The presence of natural roots in the arch helps maintain some degree of bone density by preserving the alveolar ridge through functional loading. In contrast, conventional dentures can lead to more significant bone resorption as they do not provide the same kind of stimulation to the bone structure, resulting in increased bone loss over time. Therefore, those using overdentures can maintain better bone health and show less alveolar bone loss in comparison to those using traditional dentures.