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Prosthodontics & Occlusion · single question

A patient presents with the papillary palatal changes described above and needs a new complete denture. What is the correct sequence?

  1. Make the new denture immediately and let the tissue heal underneath it
  2. Treat the tissue condition first and allow the mucosa to heal before making the definitive prosthesis
  3. Surgically excise the tissue at the same appointment as the final impression
  4. Reline the existing denture and proceed without treating the tissue
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Treat the tissue condition first and allow the mucosa to heal before making the definitive prosthesis

  • A. Making a denture over unresolved inflamed tissue guarantees a poor fit once the tissue recovers.
  • B. CORRECT. Any definitive impression made over INFLAMED, EDEMATOUS, DISTORTED tissue will record a shape that no longer exists once the tissue heals — producing a denture that fits nothing. Tissue conditioning is mandatory first: remove the denture at night, use a tissue conditioner, treat Candida with an antifungal, improve hygiene, and allow several weeks for resolution. Only then take the definitive impression.
  • C. Excising tissue and impressing at the same visit ignores the healing and remodeling that follow surgery.
  • D. Relining over pathologic tissue perpetuates the problem and locks in the distortion.

Note: General prosthodontic principle: healthy foundation first, prosthesis second. This applies to hyperplasia, epulis fissuratum, and denture stomatitis alike.

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