Denture Problems & Relining
Common Complaints & Causes
- Gagging — posterior border / posterior palatal seal extended too far back, or thick/over-extended posterior.
- Clicking of teeth — excessive vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) / insufficient freeway space.
- Burning sensation (esp. palate) — allergy/sensitivity to residual monomer, or nutritional/candidal factors.
- Cheek biting — insufficient horizontal overlap of posteriors.
- Epulis fissuratum — hyperplastic tissue from a chronically over-extended/ill-fitting flange.
Relining vs Rebasing
- Reline — add new material to the tissue surface to improve fit (denture teeth retained).
- Rebase — replace the entire denture base, keeping the teeth.
Exam Tips ⭐
Clicking teeth = increased VDO. Burning = monomer sensitivity. Epulis fissuratum = ill-fitting flange. Gagging = posterior seal too far back.