L1: Anatomy of the edentulous maxilla

Question 1

What are the 3 traits that result in a successful denture?

Answer 1

Support, Stability and retention

Question 2

What are the 2 primary and 1 secondary supporting areas of the maxilla?

Answer 2

Primary = Hard Palate, Posterior Ridge Crest
Secondary = Anterior Ridge Crest

Question 3

What element provides greater stability?

Answer 3

Increased contour

Question 4

Does a homologous solid have high cohesive or adhesive properties?

Answer 4

Cohesive

Question 5

What tissue type tolerates prosthesis better? Keratinized or Non-keratinized tissue?

Answer 5

Keratinized

Question 6

What is important about the mucogingival junction?

Answer 6

it is the unction seperating the keratinized, attached gingiva, and the non-keratinized, mobile gingiva

Question 7

In terms of keratinized tissue does the maxilla or mandible have more?

Answer 7

Maxilla, this creates a greater amount of support

Question 8

Where is the labial frenum? Why is it important?

Answer 8

The labial frenum is found in the maxillary and mandible at the mid-line connecting the lips to the attached gingiva. This tissue is very friable (delicate) thus it affects the shape & strength of the denture greatly

Question 9

What is a difference b/t the labial frenum and the buccal frenum?

Answer 9

The buccal frenum is located above the k9 eminence and is more broad. Multiples may also be seen

Question 10

Where is the labial vestibule found? Why is it important?

Answer 10

b/t the labial and buccal frena. It serves as a site of denture support

Question 11

Why is the buccal vestibule important? What can greatly affect the amount of surface area available for dentures in the maxillary? Mandible?

Answer 11

Buccal vestibule is located distal to the buccal frenum and serves as a support area, however, the surface area available is greatly affected by the forward movement of the coronoid process in the maxillary and the buccal muscle, which is forced forward as the masseter muscle is clenched.

Question 12

How do you determine the location of the hamular notch?

Answer 12

The hamular notch is located anterior to the hamulus and distal to the pterygoid space. It is determined via palpation with a hand mirror

Question 13

What is the Pterygomandibular Raphe?

Answer 13

A ligamentous band that attaches to the hamulus superiorly and the posterior end of the mylohyoid line of the mandible inferiorly.

Question 14

What is the fovea palatini?

Answer 14

Two holes/pits found on the hard palate just anterior to the vibrating line.

Question 15

What boundary marks the vibrating line? Why is this important?

Answer 15

The vibrating line marks the line separating the moveable and immovable portions of the soft palate. It is important to not extend a denture beyond this line or the moveable portion of the soft palate will cause the denture to have poor retention.

Question 16

Where is the incisive papilla located? Why is this spot important?

Answer 16

The incisive papilla is located just palatal b/t teeth #s 8 & 9. It overlays the incisive canal and it’s NVB so it is unable to provide much support to the denture

Question 17

How do the canine eminences affect a denture?

Answer 17

They affect the shape but more importantly, they are covered by very thin mucosa meaning that they can’t offer much support

Question 18

What is the residual ridge? What is another name for it?

Answer 18

The residual ridge is the remaining ridge of alveolar bone in an edentulous patient. This ridge is also called the alveolar ridge and is designed to hold the teeth. It is the first bone in the jaw to recede after tooth loss

Question 19

What is the maxillary tuberosity? Why might this cause difficulty for denture patients?

Answer 19

The maxillary tuberosity is a rounded eminence lieing overtop the buccal side of the maxillary molars. If horizontal excess exists it creates a lateral undercut which causes difficulty fitting dentures

Question 20

What is the ideal palate shape to maximize support?

Answer 20

The palate is a primary support site for dentures. This support is maximized when it has a broad-flat shape.

Question 21

What is the importance of the minor salivary glands found in the palate?

Answer 21

The minor salivary glands located just posterior to the line dividing the hard and soft palates is responsible for creating the posterior palatal seal, which creates a suction effect

Question 22

What are ruggae? Why can they be a problem?

Answer 22

Ruggae are the ridges at the anterior of the hard palate. They provide tactile feel, serving as a reference point for speech, however, they roughness doesn’t provide great support, therefore, the anterior palate is only classified as a secondary support area.

Question 23

Describe Angle’s Class I, II & III skeletal relationships.

Answer 23

Class I: Proper molar alignment. The lingual Class II: Overjet.
Class III: Negative overjet

Question 24

Describe the 3 classes of House’s classification of soft palate form.

Answer 24

Class I: Soft palate slopes down slowly.
Class II: Intermediate
Class III: Soft palate descends abruptly at the line with the hard palate often closing much of the airway and making it more difficult to get a palatal seal.