A patient wears a complete denture and reports a localized burning sensation under a specific area of the denture. The MOST likely cause is:

Correct answer: A. Compression of a nerve by the denture base

• A. Correct. Localized burning under a denture (as opposed to generalized burning) most likely indicates pressure on an underlying nerve from a denture base that is overextended or has an acrylic prominence compressing a branch of the mental or other nerve.
• B. Candidal infection produces erythema and sometimes burning, but the localized nature under a specific area points toward nerve compression.
• C. Unpolished acrylic creates chronic irritation/ulceration but not typically neural burning pain.
• D. Excessive occlusal force would cause more generalized soreness and ridge resorption over time, not typically localized burning.