A patient presents with multiple missing teeth. A cast model shows supraerption of the posterior left teeth. Which problem would this most likely cause during oral rehabilitation?

Correct answer: B. Collapsed bite (altered occlusal plane)

• A. INCORRECT. Supraerupted teeth do not increase prosthesis retention. In fact, they complicate prosthetic rehabilitation by reducing the space available for the opposing prosthesis.
• B. CORRECT. Supraeruption (passive/active eruption of teeth into edentulous spaces) causes an uneven occlusal plane, resulting in a 'collapsed bite.' This significantly complicates prosthetic rehabilitation because the supraerupted teeth occupy space needed for the opposing prosthesis, may create occlusal interferences, and require either tooth reduction/occlusal adjustment, extraction, or intrusion (orthodontics/surgery) before a satisfactory restoration can be fabricated.
• C. INCORRECT. Supraerupted teeth reduce occlusal stability by creating uneven contacts and potentially causing deflective occlusal contacts and premature contacts.
• D. INCORRECT. Supraerupted teeth compromise esthetics by disrupting the occlusal plane and creating visible discrepancies in tooth height and alignment.