Neutral Zone Technique in Complete Dentures

The area in the edentulous mouth where teeth should be positioned to optimize denture stability.

A muscle that helps stabilize mandibular dentures by affecting the distobuccal border.

This muscle helps hold food in place, prevent food accumulation, and counteracts tongue forces.

This muscle contributes to denture stability by pushing against the lower denture flange.

Contributes to the stability of the lower denture, but improper positioning can lead to denture unseating.

These muscles are fully contained within the tongue and help change its shape.

These muscles attach to bones and the soft palate and help move the tongue.

A tongue muscle that attaches to the chin and helps protrude the tongue.

A vacuum seal between the denture and the soft palate that holds the maxillary complete denture securely in place.

The PPS resists forces that try to push the denture sideways or forward.

The area where the denture's posterior border meets the soft tissue.

Two distinct areas of the posterior palatal seal.

The area of soft tissue at the junction of the hard and soft palate where pressure can be applied to enhance denture retention.

Extends from one tuberosity to the other.

Extends through the pterygomaxillary notch, covering the entire width.

The primary function of the PPS is to complete the peripheral seal and increase the retention of a complete maxillary denture. It helps prevent air from entering under the denture during chewing and speaking.

A fold of tissue that can affect the seal.

The PPS helps maintain denture contact with the soft tissue during chewing and speaking, reducing the gag reflex.

The PPS prevents food from accumulating under the denture due to its compressibility.

Opening within the tissue posterior of the hard palate, used as a guideline for PPS placement, should not be compressed.

The PPS helps reduce discomfort caused by the tongue rubbing against the posterior part of the denture.

The PPS helps to compensate for the shrinkage that occurs during the polymerization of acrylic resin, improving the fit of the denture.

The PPS creates a partial vacuum effect, enhancing the suction force that holds the denture in place.

The PPS adds strength to the maxillary denture base, making it less prone to fracture.

A material used for taking impressions that flows at mouth temperature.

A technique for making an impression where the soft palate is depressed to its functional position.

A technique for marking the PPS location on the denture cast with a scraper.

The line on the soft palate that separates the movable (vibrating) from the fixed (non-vibrating) portion.

The line on the soft palate that marks the beginning of the fixed portion (non-vibrating)

Holding the impression tray in place for a certain duration to allow the impression material to flow.

An imaginary line across the soft palate that divides the movable and immovable tissues. It becomes visible during function, when the soft palate moves.

The line separating the stationary hard palate from the slightly movable soft palate, found by instructing the patient to say "AH" forcefully.

An imaginary line marking the junction of the aponeurosis (a strong membrane) of the tensor veli palatine muscle and the muscular part of the soft palate, visualized when the patient says "ah" normally.

The most extended part of the denture base, extending to this line, helps ensure a good fit and stability.

Classification based on the shape and movement of the soft palate. Class I has a horizontal soft palate with more space between the AVL and PVL. Class II has a gradual slope with moderate space. Class III has a steep slope and minimal space.

A type of soft palate with a horizontal shape and considerable distance, facilitating a wider posterior palatal seal area, making the denture more retentive.

A type of soft palate with a gradual slope and moderate space between the AVL and PVL, allowing for some overextension of the denture base.

A soft palate that abruptly slopes, with minimal space between the AVL and PVL, leading to decreased denture retention. This requires careful posterior extension of the denture base.

The denture does not cover the fovea palatina, the tissue coverage is reduced, and the posterior border of the denture is not in contact with the soft resilient tissue. This causes the denture border to move during function.

This occurs when the denture base is too far back on the palate, causing pain and discomfort during swallowing. It's caused by overzealous scraping of the master cast.

A space forms between the denture base and the soft palate due to improper head or mouth positioning during impression taking.

Occurs when the posterior border of the denture is too far forward, resulting in pain and difficulty swallowing. It's caused by improper palatal seal recordings.

The complete denture base extends too far back, covering the hamular notches. This can cause pain, especially during chewing.

The posterior palatal seal is too short or shallow, leading to decreased retention and difficulty swallowing.

Improper positioning and recording of the posterior palatal seal can lead to errors, affecting the denture's retention and function.