Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

When performing immediate dentures, which teeth should be extracted?

1. All maxillary incisors

2. All posteriors except 12 and 21

3. All mandibular canines

4. Only the maxillary first molars

The correct answer is: All posteriors except 12 and 21

When considering which teeth should be extracted for immediate dentures, it is important to evaluate the overall treatment plan, including the patient's dental condition and the desired outcome of the denture placement. The correct choice reflects a comprehensive approach. In typical scenarios where immediate dentures are planned, the retention and stability of the remaining teeth play a crucial role. Thus, extracting all posteriors except the teeth designated by numbers 12 (upper left canine) and 21 (upper right canine) allows for maintaining certain anterior and posterior teeth that can support the immediate denture. These retained teeth may provide adequate occlusion and improve the denture’s fit and function, contributing to patient comfort and aesthetics. Retaining the canines while extracting the posterior teeth helps in achieving better functional stability, as canines are key for occlusal support. They also provide both vertical and horizontal support, reducing the chance of denture movement and maximizing retention during the healing phase. The other options suggest extractions that might lead to a lack of adequate support or may not consider the necessity of retaining certain teeth for enhanced stability and functionality in immediate denture cases. It is crucial to evaluate each patient's individual circumstances before determining which teeth should be extracted, but the recommendation in this option promotes functionality during the