What causes a pressure point?

• A. Overly long denture borders
• B. Excess saliva
• C. Improper occlusal vertical dimension
• D. Poorly fitting prosthesis

Answer: (D)

Pressure points arise when the denture base doesn’t sit evenly on the supporting tissues, concentrating forces on a small area of mucosa. The most direct cause is a poorly fitting prosthesis, where the intaglio surface or border extensions don’t match the tissue well, creating localized pressure as the denture bears down during function. This focused pressure can cause mucosal blanching, soreness, and irritation.

While factors like overly long borders or improper occlusal vertical dimension can contribute to tissue stress, they are best understood as outcomes of an overall misfit. The remedy focuses on improving fit and distribution of forces—recontouring borders, relining or remaking the denture, and ensuring the occlusion distributes forces across a broader mucosal area rather than concentrating them in one spot.