Fit, maintenance, and relining[edit]

Generally speaking partial dentures tend to be held in place by the presence of the remaining
natural teeth and complete dentures tend to rely on muscular co-ordination and suction to stay in
place. The maxilla very commonly has more favorable denture bearing anatomy as the ridge
tends to be well formed and there is a larger area on the palate for suction to retain the denture.
Conversely, the mandible tends to make lower dentures less retentive due to the displacing
presence of the tongue and the higher rate of resorption, frequently leading to significantly
resorbed lower ridges. Disto-lingual regions tend to offer retention even in highly resorbed
mandibles, and extension of the flange into these regions tends to produce a more retentive
lower denture. An implant supported lower denture is another option.