An edentulous patient's denture has no retention. What is the best option for a new prosthesis?

Correct answer: D. A conventional rigid heat-cured acrylic complete denture

• A. Flexible nylon bases distort under load, cannot be reliably relined, and give poor stability in a fully edentulous arch.
• B. Porcelain refers to the artificial teeth, not the denture base. Porcelain teeth are heavy, abrade the opposing ridge, and are now rarely chosen.
• C. Cast metal frameworks are for partial dentures, where clasps engage remaining teeth. There is nothing to clasp here.
• D. Correct. A rigid heat-cured acrylic base adapts accurately to the tissue, transmits load evenly, and — importantly — can be relined or rebased when the ridge resorbs. It remains the standard for complete dentures.

Note: If retention is the presenting complaint, the underlying cause matters — a poor peripheral seal, a resorbed ridge, or an overextended flange each call for different corrections. Implant retention is the definitive answer for a severely resorbed mandible.