Which condition is common when old dentures have insufficient vertical height?

• A. Angular cheilitis
• B. Oral cancer
• C. Tooth decay
• D. Dry mouth

Answer: (A)

When old dentures don’t provide enough vertical height, the vertical dimension of occlusion is reduced, leading to overclosure and poor lip support. This causes the corners of the mouth to experience more friction, moisture buildup, and mechanical irritation from the denture edges. The continual rubbing and maceration create an environment where Candida and other organisms can thrive, producing angular cheilitis—the inflamed, fissured corners of the mouth often seen in denture wearers with ill-fitting or overclosed dentures. While dry mouth, tooth decay, and oral cancer can occur in older adults for other reasons, they don’t specifically arise from insufficient vertical height in the denture as commonly or directly as angular cheilitis does.