Prosthodontics & Occlusion · single question
A 15-year-old patient wears a complete denture and only removes it to brush. The area under the denture is erythematous. What is the IMMEDIATE first step of action?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Instruct the patient to remove the denture at night (while sleeping)
The patient has denture stomatitis (Candida-associated erythematous stomatitis), which is caused by continuous denture wearing without adequate tissue rest. The FIRST and most immediate step is instructing the patient to remove the denture for at least 6-8 hours daily (especially at night). Tissue rest allows the mucosa to recover. A new denture or reline may eventually be needed if the fit is poor, but the immediate intervention is behavioral modification — removing the prosthesis at night.
- A. Incorrect. Making a new denture is a long-term solution that may eventually be indicated, but is NOT the immediate first step.
- B. Incorrect. A hard acrylic reline may address fit issues but does not address the immediate cause (continuous wear). Tissue rest comes first.
- C. CORRECT. The immediate first action for denture stomatitis is instructing the patient to remove the denture during sleep, allowing tissue rest and reducing Candida proliferation.
- D. Incorrect. While antifungals (nystatin) may be needed, tissue rest is the primary intervention. Antifungals without behavioral change will not resolve the underlying cause.
Practice Prosthodontics & Occlusion questions Prosthodontics & Occlusion study notes