Anatomy and Landmarks

Question 1

Labial frenum

Answer 1

A fold of mucous membrane; frequent area of sore spots and loss of retention if over extended (Limiting)

Question 2

Labial vestibule

Answer 2

The space between the labial frenum and the buccal frena. (Limiting)

Question 3

Buccal frenum

Answer 3

Fold(s) of mucous membrane, affected by muscle attachment (including levator anguli oris, obicularis oris and buccinator muscles). May require relief. (Limiting)

Question 4

Buccal vestibule

Answer 4

The space extending from the buccal frenum to the hamular (pterygomaxillary) notch. The size of the vestibule varies with the contraction of the buccinator muscle, position of the mandible and the size of the residual alveolar ridge. (Limiting)

Question 5

Coronoid bulge area

Answer 5

The coronoid process of the mandible passes into the space during excursive movements. (Limiting)

Question 6

Residual alveolar ridges

Answer 6

The primary stress bearing area for the maxillary denture. They are the alveolar processes remaining after the natural teeth have been extracted. (Support)

Question 7

Maxillary tuberosity

Answer 7

The posterior portion of the residual alveolar ridge. It may require surgical reduction if extends too inferiorly towards the mandible. (Support)

Question 8

Hamular notch

Answer 8

Depression between the tuberosity and the hamulus of the medial pterygoid plate. Marks the posterior border of the maxillary complete denture, as the posterior palatal seal is placed through the center of the notch to enhance retention. (Limiting)

Question 9

Vibrating line

Answer 9

An imaginary line drawn across the soft palate that marks the beginning of motion (deflection) of the soft palate. It extends from one hamular notch to the other, usually 2mm in front of the palatine fovea. The vibrating line does not mark the junction of the hard palate and the soft palate. Anterior to the vibrating line is called the posterior palatal seal which is important for retention. (Limiting)

Question 10

Palatine fovea

Answer 10

Two indentations in the middle/posterior part of the palate formed by a coalescence of mucous gland ducts. The fovea aid in determining the posterior border of the maxillary complete denture; located in the glandular region.

Question 11

Mid-palatine suture

Answer 11

An area of thin tissue that runs anteroposteriorly in the center of the hard palate. It has little resiliency and needs relief in the complete denture to prevent rocking of the denture and soreness from the denture. (Relief)

Question 12

Incisive papilla

Answer 12

This area needs relief in the denture to avoid any stimulation of the nerve or constriction of the blood vessels. (Relief)

Question 13

Rugae

Answer 13

2(degree) stress-bearing area. The rugae can resist forward movement of the maxillary denture and may need relief to avoid distortion during impression making as rebounding of the tissue can cause dislodgement of the denture. (Support/Relief)

Question 14

What is the main support for the maxillary denture

Answer 14

the two palatine processes and the palatine bone

Question 15

Describe the area where the processes join

Answer 15

very thin soft tissue and as a result, has little resiliency. and is a relief area in the denture to prevent rocking of the denture or soreness by the denture

Question 16

Buccal Shelf

Answer 16

On either side of the mandible between the buccal frenum and the anterior edge of the masseter muscle. The buccal shelf can be very wide and at right angles to vertical occlusal forces, offers excellent resistance to these forces, is covered by cortical bone and acts as the primary stress-bearing region of the mandible. (Support)

Question 17

Crest of the residual ridge

Answer 17

Should not be used as a primary stress-bearing area but rather as a relief area if it is thin, narrow and cancellous in nature. If the crest of the ridge is broad and covered with a layer of cortical bone, it can be used as a primary stress- bearing area. (Support/Relief)

Question 18

Labial frenum

Answer 18

Has fibrous connective tissue attached to the orbicularis oris. (Limiting)

Question 19

Labial vestibule

Answer 19

Usually shallow due to muscle attachments (including orbicularis oris and incisivus labii inferioris). (Limiting)

Question 20

Buccal frenum

Answer 20

Muscle attachments from the orbicularis oris, depressor angula oris and buccinator are continuous with those of the maxillary buccal frenum. (Limiting)

Question 21

Buccal vestibule

Answer 21

Extends from the buccal frenum to the distobuccal corner of the retromolar pad and from the crest of the residual ridge to the cheek. The buccinator muscle attaches in the area of the buccal shelf. (Limiting)

Question 22

Masseteric notch

Answer 22

Located in the distobuccal corner due to the contraction of the masseter muscle. (Limiting)

Question 23

Retromolar pad

Answer 23

a triangular region of soft, glandular tissue located at the posterior aspect of the residual alveolar ridge that acts as a posterior seat of the mandibular denture. It also has fibers from multiple muscles that limit any further posterior extension of the mandibular denture. There is also glandular tissue and loose connective tissue. (Limiting)

Question 24

Lingual frenum

Answer 24

The anterior attachment of the tongue to the anterior lingual aspect of the mandible. (Limiting)

Question 25

Alveololingual vestibule

Answer 25

is the space between the residual ridge and the tongue. It extends from the lingual frenum to the retromylohyoid region. The lingual flange of the mandibular denture occupies this space. Anteriorly it extends from the lingual frenum to the premylohyoid fossa. The attachments of the mylohyoid muscle play an important role in the development of the length of the lingual flange. (Limiting)

Question 26

Retromylohyoid fossa

Answer 26

extends from the end of the mylohyoid ridge to the retromylohyoid curtain (which is pulled forward with protrusion of the tongue). The distolingual aspect of the lingual flange will fill the fossa. Properly developed, the lingual flange of the mandibular denture will have an “S’ shape, one side the reverse (or mirror image) of the other side. (Limiting)