Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

Anterior denture teeth should contact which part of the lower lip?

1. Inner mucosa

2. Wet/dry line

3. Philtrum

4. Vermilion border

The correct answer is: Wet/dry line

In denture prosthetics, proper contact between the upper anterior teeth and the lower lip is crucial for aesthetics and functionality. The correct choice indicates that the anterior denture teeth should contact the wet/dry line of the lower lip. The wet/dry line represents the transition zone between the keratinized, dry skin of the lip and the moist mucosal surface. This area is particularly important because it enables the proper positioning of the anterior teeth to achieve a natural appearance and functional alignment during activities like speaking and smiling. When the anterior teeth appropriately contact this line, it enhances the overall contour of the lips, contributing to a more aesthetic facial profile and ensuring that the dentures function effectively during oral activities. By contrast, the inner mucosa is located inside the oral cavity and does not play a role in the positioning of anterior denture teeth, while the philtrum refers to the vertical groove located on the midline of the upper lip, which is not a contact point for anterior teeth. The vermilion border, while part of the lip, serves primarily as the outline that demarcates the pink inner lip from the surrounding skin, rather than a functional contact point for the anterior denture teeth. Thus, the wet/dry line is the