If dentures cannot be seated properly, what is the best course of action?

When dentures cannot be seated properly, the best course of action often involves relieving the areas of the dentures that cause pressure or interference. This process allows for better adaptation to the oral structures and enhances the fit of the dentures, ultimately improving comfort and functionality for the patient.

Relieving the denture entails selectively removing material from specific areas that are hitting bony prominences or are otherwise impinging upon the hard or soft tissue in the mouth. This adjustment can often resolve seating issues without the need for more drastic measures, like ordering a completely new set or referring the patient to a specialist.

Adjustments to dentures can also be beneficial, but these typically follow a thorough assessment of why the dentures are not seating properly. If the adjustments don’t yield a satisfactory fit or if there are underlying issues (like bone resorption), then further actions might be necessary.

Ordering a new set of dentures or referring the patient to a specialist should be considered only after other avenues have been exhausted. Such steps can be costly and time-consuming, and they do not necessarily address the immediate problem of seating the existing dentures.

Overall, relieving the dentures to facilitate proper seating is generally the most immediate and effective solution in this scenario.