Dental OSCE 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Cheek biting in a denture patient is often a result of an improper occlusal relationship or the positioning of the denture in relation to the natural anatomy of the patient’s oral structures. Grinding the buccal of the lower posteriors can help alleviate this issue by reducing the potential for the upper and lower denture teeth to occlude improperly, which may lead to the irritation or trauma of the cheeks.

When a patient bites their cheeks, it is often because the occlusion is not adequately aligned, resulting in an interference during functional movements such as chewing or speaking. By grinding the buccal surfaces of the lower posterior teeth, it can create more space and improve the relationship between the upper and lower dentures, thereby reducing the likelihood of the cheeks being bitten.

In contrast, simply adjusting the occlusion may not specifically address the area that is causing the cheek biting, while replacing the denture might not be necessary if the current one can be modified. Providing a softer diet could offer temporary relief but does not solve the underlying mechanical issue that leads to cheek biting.