When examining the elderly, you should examine face with the lips at ______.

• A. Rest
• B. Smile
• C. Open
• D. Closed

Answer: (A)

The key idea is to assess the lips and surrounding tissues in their natural, relaxed position. When the lips are at rest, you can see the true lip seal, the amount of tooth and gingival display, and how well the lips support the denture or maintain oral moisture without being distorted by muscle activity.

In older adults, resting posture reveals important clues about functional and esthetic issues that may not be obvious if the lips are smiling, parted, or tightly closed. Relaxed lips show how well the lips seal individually, whether there is lip incompetence or drooping, and how the perioral tissues behave with normal gravity and aging changes. This position also helps you evaluate the health of the mucosa and any conditions like angular cheilitis or dry lips that can affect comfort and denture wear.

If you were to observe with a smile or with the mouth opened, facial muscles are actively engaged, which can shift tissue contours and conceal problems with lip seal or denture borders. For a baseline assessment and to inform planning for esthetics and function, resting lips provide the most informative snapshot.