Anatomical Landmarks for Complete Dentures

Question 1

what groups are landmarks of the edentulous jaw grouped into

Answer 1

limiting structures
supporting structures
relief areas

Question 2

what are examples of limiting structures in the maxilla

Answer 2

labial frenum
labial sulcus
buccal frenum
buccal sulcus
vibrating line
hamular notch

Question 3

what does the landmark of labial frenum and labial sulcus aid in

Answer 3

guide us in having optimum extension of the denture

Question 4

what is the labial frenum

Answer 4

fibrous band covered by mucous membrane extending from labial aspect of residual ridge to lip

Question 5

what is a V shaped/ labial notch

Answer 5

a notch provided carefully on the denture which is narrow but deep enough to avoid interference and seats adequately around the frenum

Question 6

if the denture encroaches on limiting structures what will occur

Answer 6

dislodgement of the denture and/ or soreness of the area

Question 7

what will occur if the areas leading up to limiting areas are not covered

Answer 7

decreased retention stability and support

Question 8

what does the size of the buccal vestibule depend on

Answer 8

contraction of buccinator muscle
position of the mandible
amount of bone loss in maxilla

Question 9

what are examples of relief areas in the maxilla

Answer 9

incisive papilla
palatine raphe
palatine fovea
crest of alveolar ridge

Question 10

what are relief areas

Answer 10

areas where there are either resorption under constant load, having fragile structures within or covered by thin mucosa which can be easily traumatised

Question 11

how should dentures be designed in regards to relief areas

Answer 11

so that masticatory load is not concentrated over these areas

Question 12

what exits via the incisive foramen

Answer 12

nasopalatine nerves and vessels

Question 13

what could happen if masticatory forces are concentrated over the incisive papilla

Answer 13

necrosis of distributing areas and paraestheisa of the anterior palate

Question 14

what is the palatine raphe

Answer 14

extends from incisive papilla to distal end of hard palate
most sensitive part of the palate to pressure

Question 15

what is the palatine fovea

Answer 15

the very end of the palatine raphe at the demarkation between hard and soft palates

Question 16

what is the vibrating line

Answer 16

an imaginary line that marks division between movable and immovable tissue of the soft palate
extends from one hamular notch to the other

Question 17

what is the hamular notch

Answer 17

depression between maxillary tuberosity and the hamulus of the medial pterygoid plate - soft area of loose connective tissue

Question 18

where is the disto-lateral termination of the denture

Answer 18

hamular notch

Question 19

what landmark aids in achieving the posterior palatal seal

Answer 19

hamular notch

Question 20

what are supporting structures examples in the maxilla

Answer 20

rugae
posterior palate
tuberosity

Question 21

what are rugae

Answer 21

folded-like appearance of mucosa behind the upper incisors

Question 22

what is support

Answer 22

the resistance to the displacement towards the underlying structures

Question 23

what is a primary stress bearing area

Answer 23

posterior palate

Question 24

what is a secondary stress bearing area

Answer 24

rugae
tuberosity

Question 25

what are limiting structures in the mandible

Answer 25

labial frenum labial sulcus buccal sulcus buccal frenum alveilolingual sulcus lingual frenum retroomolar pads

Question 26

what is the alveololingual sulcus

Answer 26

between lingual frenum to retromylohyoid curtain

Question 27

what does overextension of a denture into the alveololingual sulcus cause

Answer 27

soreness and instability

Question 28

what are examples of relief areas in the mandible

Answer 28

genial tubercle torus mandibularis mylohyoid ridge

Question 29

what is the genial tubercle

Answer 29

area of muscle attachment for genioglossus and geniohyoid

Question 30

when can the genial tubercle become quire prominent

Answer 30

resorbed ridges

Question 31

what is the torus mandibularis

Answer 31

abnormally bony prominence bilaterally on the lingual side near premolar area

Question 32

what is the mylohyoid ridge

Answer 32

attachment for mylohyoid muscle runs along the lingual surface of mandible

Question 33

what are retoromolar pads

Answer 33

pear shaped triangular soft pads of tissue at the dital end of lower ridge

Question 34

what forms the posterior seal of a mandibular denture

Answer 34

retromolar pads

Question 35

how far should the denture base extend up the retromolar pad triangle

Answer 35

2/3rds

Question 36

what are examples of supporting structures in the mandible

Answer 36

residual alveolar ridge buccal shelf

Question 37

what are examples of secondary stress bearing areas in the mandible

Answer 37

residual alveolar ridge

Question 38

what is the buccal shelf

Answer 38

extends from buccal frenum to retromolar pad between the external oblique ridge and crest of alveolar ridge