What procedure is likely to be performed for an elderly patient who experiences soreness beneath her full lower denture?

For an elderly patient experiencing soreness beneath her full lower denture, a soft reline is the most appropriate procedure. Soft relines involve the application of a softer, more flexible material to the fitting surface of the denture. This helps to provide additional cushioning and comfort, especially for patients who may have sensitive oral tissues or changes in their mouth due to age, bone resorption, or changes in oral anatomy.

The soft material allows for better adaptation to the contours of the gums and reduces the pressure on sore spots, promoting healing and improving overall denture fit. This is particularly beneficial for elderly patients, as their oral tissues may be more delicate, requiring a gentler solution rather than a harder and less forgiving option.

In contrast, other procedures such as a hard rebase or hard reline would use more rigid materials, which could exacerbate the discomfort rather than alleviate it. Functional impressions may help in capturing functional aspects of the denture, but they are not specifically designed to address immediate soreness in the fitting area like a soft reline would.