Prosthodontics & Occlusion · single question
A complete denture rocks during clinical assessment. What is the most likely cause?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Poor-fitting (inaccurate) denture base
- A. ❌ Lack of retention causes dislodgment (pulling away from tissues), not rocking.
- B. ❌ Unbalanced occlusion may cause instability during chewing but is not the primary cause of a denture rocking at rest.
- C. ❌ Incorrect VDO causes TMJ discomfort and speech issues, not rocking.
- D. ✅ Correct. A rocking denture (pivoting around a fulcrum point) indicates a POOR-FITTING base — the denture base has a high spot that acts as a pivot, preventing uniform tissue contact.
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