A patient with severely cavitated teeth has essentially only root tips remaining in the area of teeth #7–9. What is the most challenging aspect of creating complete dentures for this patient?

Correct answer: A. Supra-erupted opposing teeth

• A. CORRECT — Supra-erupted teeth in the opposing arch create reduced inter-arch space and abnormal occlusal planes, making it extremely challenging to establish proper vertical dimension, tooth arrangement, and occlusal plane orientation for complete dentures. They often require extraction or equilibration before prosthodontic work.
• B. INCORRECT — While missing teeth complicate denture planning, the number alone is not the most challenging aspect when supra-eruption is present.
• C. INCORRECT — Bone loss is a challenge but is a known baseline factor; supra-eruption creates a more functionally limiting obstacle.
• D. INCORRECT — Prosthetic design is always complex for complete dentures, but a specific clinical obstacle outweighs general design complexity here.