What is the appropriate action before relining a complete denture?

Before relining a complete denture, adjusting the borders of the denture is the most appropriate action. This step is crucial because it ensures that the denture fits properly on the edentulous ridge and is aligned with the current anatomy of the patient’s oral structures after any changes, such as bone resorption, have occurred.

The fit of a denture can change over time due to natural changes in the mouth, such as the reshaping of the alveolar ridge. These changes could lead to a loss of retention and stability, so ensuring that the borders are adequately adjusted allows the reline material to set correctly and create a proper fit against the soft tissues.

In contrast, building up anterior or posterior occlusion is not a preparatory action required before relining, as relining primarily focuses on how the denture fits, rather than altering the occlusal scheme. Similarly, reducing occlusal surfaces is not pertinent when preparing for a relining; this is more relevant if there are issues with vertical dimension or occlusion that need to be addressed after collecting comprehensive clinical evaluations.

Thus, the correct approach before relining a complete denture is to adjust the borders to ensure an optimal fit.