What action should be taken during RPD placement if anterior undercuts are preventing placement?

During the placement of a removable partial denture (RPD), if anterior undercuts are preventing the placement, the most appropriate action is to shorten, bevel, or thin the denture base. This approach directly addresses the fit of the denture by modifying its design to accommodate the existing anatomical contours of the patient's mouth.

Shortening or thinning the denture base allows it to more easily navigate past the undercuts, ensuring that the RPD can be seated properly without undue stress or damage to the surrounding tissues. Beveling the denture edges can also create a smoother transition from the denture to the underlying tissues, which can further facilitate placement and improve the overall comfort for the patient.

In contrast, applying more adhesive might not resolve the issue since the problem lies with the physical interference due to the undercuts rather than an issue of stability or retention. Increasing the size of the denture base could exacerbate the problem by making it bulkier and more likely to get stuck in undercuts. Using a different impression technique may not be necessary at this stage since the existing impression may already be suitable; the focus should be on adjusting the current RPD to overcome the immediate obstacle of undercuts.