V Dentures and their supporting structures are to

coexist for a length of time

V It is important that the practitioner understand

the anatomy of the supporting and limiting
structures which form the foundation of the
denture bearing area

V The foundation area mainly comprises of bone

of the hard palate and the residual ridge which is
covered by a mucous membrane
V Oucous membrane:
 It is the tissue that supports the denture base
 It is composed of 2 parts:
M Oucosa
M Submucosa

 Oucosa:
M It is formed of stratified squamous epithelium which is often
keratinized

M Lamina propria is the subjacent layer of connective tissue

M In an edentulous person the mucosa covering the hard palate and

the crest of the residual ridge is called masticatory mucosa
V Submucosa:
 The attachment of the mucosa to bone occurs due to
the attachment between the submucosa and the
periosteum

 It contains glandular, fat or muscle cells and transmits

blood and nerve supply to the mucosa

 The thickness and consistency of submucosa is

responsible for the support that the mucous
membrane gives the denture base

V one:
 The underlying bone may consist of compact or
cancellous bone
V They are divided into:
 Supporting structures
 Limiting structures
 Relief structures
V `rimary stress bearing areas:
 îard `alate:
M The ultimate support for the maxillary denture is
derived from the bone of the 2 maxillae and the palatine
bone

M `alatine processes are joined by the median palatine

suture

M A cross-section of the hard palate reveals it to be

covered by soft tissue of varying thickness
 Oicroscopically:
M The mucosa is stratified squamous epithelium and
contains dense collagen fibers that vary in thickness
M Anterolaterally ² submucosa contains adipose tissue
M `osterolaterally- submucosa contains glandular tissue

 The tissue contributes to the support of the

denture but the primary support is derived from
the horizontal portion of the hard palate

 The trabecular pattern of the bone is

perpendicular to the direction of force making it
capable of withstanding the forces it is subjected
to
V Residual Alveolar Ridge:
 ¦The portion of the alveolar ridge and its soft tissue
covering which remains following the removal of teethµ
(G.`.T)

 It is a primary stress bearing area

 The resorption following the extraction of teeth

is rapid at first but continues at a reduced rate
throughout life

 Over a prolonged period the ridge may become

small and lack a smooth bony surface
 Oicroscopically:

M Thick mucous membrane is made up of stratified

sqamous epithelium which is keratinized

M Submucosa is devoid of fat and glandular cells but is

sufficiently thick enough to provide adequate resiliency
to support the denture

M The crest of the ridge may act as more of a secondary

stress bearing area and the posterolateral portion is the
primary stress bearing area
V Secondary stress bearing areas:
 Rugae:
M Rugae are raised areas of dense connective tissue
radiating from the median suture in the anterior one
third of the palate.

M It is a secondary stress bearing area, set at an angle to

the residual ridge and thinly covered by soft tissue

M They help in stabilization of the maxillary denture

during function.

M Oicroscopically:
M Amount of keratinization is similar to the hard palate
M Submucosa is thick and contains a lot of adipose tissue
V Oaxillary Tuberosity:
V It is the bulbous extension of the residual ridge in the
second and third molar region terminating in the hamular
notch
V It is one of the most important areas from which the
denture derives support as it is least likely to resorb
V When the maxillary posteriors are retained after the
mandibular posterior teeth have been extracted and not
replaced, maxillary teeth over erupt and the tuberosity
region hangs down abnormally low
V The enlargements are often fiberous but may be bony
V If they interfere with the proper location of the occlusal
plane then surgical removal is indicated
V The undercuts lateral to tuberosity can be used for the
retention of the denture.
V Relief Areas:
 These area areas under constant load and contain
fragile structures within

 Incisive `apilla:

M Located on a line immediately behind and beneath the

central incisors

M It is a structure which relates to incisive foramen which

is the exit point of the nasopalatine nerves and vessels

M The papilla comes to lie near the crest of the ridge as

resorption pregresses
V Oicroscopy:
V Nasopalatine nerves and vessels are contained
in the sunmucosa
V Oid `alatine suture:
 It is the area extending from the incisive papilla to
the distal end of the hard palate

 The submucosa in this region is extremely thin

and the soft tissue covering is non resilient in this
area

 This area needs to be relived for 2 reasons

M As pressure on this area can lead to soreness & severe
pain.

M if not adequately relived, it can act as a fulcrum point led

to rotation of the dentures.
V Œovea `alatinae:
V It is formed by the coalescence of the ducts of several
minor mucous glands the secretions from which aid in
retention
V Usually 2 in number, found on either side of the
midline & slightly posterior to the junction of hard &
soft palate.
V They indicate the vicinity of the posterior palatal seal
area.
V The position of fovea palatine influences the position
of the posterior border of the denture.
V The denture can extend 1-2 mm beyond fovea
palatinae.
V Torus `alatinus:
V It is a hard bony enlargement that occurs in
the midline of the roof of the mouth

V Œound in 20% of the population

V It is covered by a thin layer of mucous

membrane that is easily traumatized by the
denture base unless relief is provided
   ese str ct res eter i e a co fi e t e e te t of t e e t re
  e cosa co eri t is re io is i e t e ter ¶li i cosa·

V Àa ial Fre :

 It is a fi ero s a co ere co s e ra e t at e te s
fro t e la ial as ect of t e resi al ri e to t e li ri t i t e
i li e

 It as o scle fi res so it is a assi e fre

 It i i es t e la ial esti le i to e al arts

 tarts as a fa s a e a co er es to ar s t e resi al ri e

 It is loosel attac e to erl i o ea is fle i le

V A V-shaped notch is recorded during
impression making to accommodate the
frenum

V Oicroscopically:
V Consists of stratified squamous non-
keratinized epithelium with loose areolar
tissue and elastic fibres
uccal Œenum:
 It separates the labial and buccal vestibule and is
usually multiple

 It is an active frenum because of the muscle

attachments from the following:
M Levator anguli oris ² attaches beneath the frenum
M Orbicularis oris ² pulls frenum in a forward direction
M uccinator- pulls frenum in a backward direction

V Sufficient allowance should be created for the movement of

frenum because overriding the function of the frenum will
cause pain & dislodgement of the denture

V If frenum is attached close to the crest of the ridge

frenectomy should be done.
V Labial vestibule:
 It is that portion of the oral cavity that is bounded
on one side by the teeth, gingiva and alveolar
ridge and on the other side by the lips and cheeks

 It extends bilaterally from labial frenum to buccal

frenum

 The reflection of the mucous membrane

superiorly determines the height of the denture
V uccal Vestibule:
 ounded by
M Anteriorly - buccal frenum
M Laterally ² buccal mucosa
M Oedially - residual alveolar ridge
M `osteriorly - hamular notch.

V During the impression procedure the vestibule should be suitably

filled with impression material for proper border contact between
denture & the tissue.
V When the denture flange properly occupies the vestibular space
that is distal & lateral to the alveolar tubercles, the stability &
retention is greatly enhanced.

V The buccal flange borders depends upon movement of the ramus

of the mandible at the distal end of the buccal vestibule & hence
the patient should move the mandible in a lateral & protrusive
relation to make sure that the coronoid process does not interfere
with these functions.
V The effectively record the maxillary buccal
sulcus ,the mouth should be half away closed
b·coz wide opening of the mouth narrows the
space & does not allow proper contouring of
the sulcus.
V îamular notch:

V This structure is bounded by the maxillary

tuberosity anteriorly & the pterygoid hamulus
posteriorly& marks the posterio-lateral limit of the
upper denture.
V The pterygomandibular ligament attaches to the
hamulus.
V The narrow cleft of loose connective tissue is
approximately 2mm in extent anterioposteriorly.
V A seal can be obtained by utilizing this area as it can
be displaced to a certain extend without trauma.
V The denture should not extend beyond the
hamular notch, failure of which will result in

 restricted pterygomandibular raphe movement.

 when mouth is wide open ,the denture dislodges
V `osterior `akatal Seal Area:
V ¦The soft tissue along the junction of the hard &
soft palate on which pressure within the
physiological limits of the tissues can be applied
by a denture to aid in the retention of the
dentureµ (G.`.T)
V It is a 3 dimensional seal area.
V It provides retention to the maxillary denture.
V The seal prevents passage of air between the
denture & the tissues.

V It is found distal to the junction of the hard and

soft palate
V Œunctions of `osterior `alatal Seal:
V Aids in retention by maintaining constant
contact with the soft palate during functional
movement like speech ,mastication and
deglutition.
V Reduces tendency for gag reflex as it prevents
the formation of gap between the posterior
border of the denture and the soft palate during
functional movements.
V `revents food accumulation between the
posterior border of the denture and the soft
palate.
V Compensates for polymerization shrinkage that
occur during the polymerization
V The posterior palatal seal area can be divided into 2
regions based upon anatomical landmarks:
 `terygomaxillary seal
 `ostpalatal seal

V `terygomaxillary seal-
 this is the part of the `.`.S that extends across the hamular
notch & it extends 3-4mm anterolaterally to end in the
mucogingival junction on the posterior part of maxillary
ridge.

 The posterior extent of the denture in this region should

end in the hamular notch & not extent over the hamular
process as it can lead to severe pain during denture wear.

V `ostpalatal seal-
 this is a part of the posterior palatal seal that extends
between the 2 maxillary tuberosities.
V Vibrating line:
V This is the area in the anterior junction of the
soft palate where movement is seen in the
mucosa when the patient says ¶ahhh· in a
moderate manner

V It extends from one hamular notch to another

V The distal end of the denture is 1-2mm

posterior to this line

V Classified as 2:
V Anterior vibrating line
V `osterior vibrating line
V Anterior vibrating line:
V The line between the immovable tissues over
the hard palate and the slightly movable
tissue of the soft palate
V Cupid·s bow shaped

V `osterior vibrating line:

V Located at the junction of the soft palate
which shows limited movement and soft
palate that shows marked movement
THANK
YOU«