Branemark dental implants wth ball attachments supporting overdentures were used as alternative treatment to combined lingual-vestibuloplasty with free split-thickness skin graft and removable dentures in 25 consecutive patients with mandibular alveolar ridge atrophy-Nynety-three fixtures were placed. Ball attachments were mounted on the fixtures, and implant-supported overdentures were inserted 3 to 4 months after fixture placement. The observation period after implant activation and prosthesis insertion varied from 12 to 27 months with a median observation period of 18 months. The overall success rate of individual implants was 97% (90/93). The prosthesis function rate was 100% (25/25). The 1-year success rate of individual implants was 98% (91/93) with a prosthesis function rate of 100% (25/25). No persistent surgical or prosthodontic complications were observed. Preliminary results indicate that osseointegrated Branemark dental implants with ball attachments supporting overdentures can be a successful alternative to combined lingua-vestibuloplasty with free split-thickness skin graft and removal dentures in patients with denture problems related to mandibular alveolar ridge atrophy. (Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 1993;8:162-166.)