Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test 2026 - Free ADC Practice Questions and Study Guide

The statement regarding distal free end saddles that is considered accurate centers on the need for relining. Distal free end saddles are partial dentures that lack support from natural teeth at one end and typically are located at the back of the dental arch. Due to their design and the nature of their support solely from the underlying soft and hard tissues rather than from adjacent teeth, these saddles are subject to changes over time. This includes alterations in the shape and volume of the alveolar bone and surrounding tissues, which can lead to a poor fit as time progresses.

Frequent relining becomes necessary to ensure the denture maintains optimal function and comfort for the patient. While regular maintenance is also important for full dentures, the specific challenges presented by distal free end saddles often necessitate more frequent adjustments. This ongoing adaptation helps to accommodate any resorption of bone that occurs, further highlighting the need for regular relining.

In contrast, the other statements do not accurately reflect the realities of distal free end saddles. They do require maintenance, may change over time due to bone resorption, and are not necessarily less prone to such resorption when compared to dentures supported by teeth.