Review

A Review On Posterior Palatal Seal

Sudhakara V Maller 1, Karthik. K. S. 2

1
- Professor & Head Of The Department Of Prosthodontics, Abstract:
Ksr Institute Of Dental Science And Research, Tiruchengode.
Recording and replicating the extent of posterior palatal seal and its
2 borders is one of the most important steps in successful treatment of
- Senior Lecturer, Department Of Prosthodontics, the edentulous patients. Recording of the anterior and posterior
Ksr Institute Of Dental Science And Research, Tiruchengode. vibrating lines determines the posterior most extent of the denture
and proper incorporation of post-dam in the edentulous maxillary
Address for correspondence : denture. Incorporation of this post-dam reproduces exact seal in the
Sudhakara V Maller, maxillary denture for proper retention. The aim of this article is to
Department Of Prosthodontics provide some background about the importance of recording
KSR Institute Of Dental Science And Research, posterior palatal seal and methods of recording posterior palatal seal
KSR Kalvinagar, Tiruchengode, for retentive longevity of complete denture prosthesis treatment.
Namakkal Dist- 637215.
Keywords: Posterior Palatal Seal, Vibrating Lines, Denture Retention
Phone Number: 9443051313.
E- Mail Id: drmallers@in.com

Introduction: 1920: Hall revived interest in the use of atmospheric

Complete dentures may suffer from a lack of pressure as a retentive factor by interpreting and
proper border extension, but none are more demonstrating the functional denture borders.
important than the posterior limit and the posterior 1948: Stanitz used a lab model to suggest that
palatal seal on maxillary complete dentures. The atmospheric pressure is in equilibrium with fluid
posterior border is terminated on a surface that pressure exerted on molecules within a capillary tube
continues and is movable in varying degrees and not with a liquid level in a container as well as the
at a turn of tissue as are the other denture borders. attraction of two glass slabs. These models explained
Deficiencies of the distal border may be in the how fluid film contributed to denture retention.
length of the denture base, or the depth of the 1951: Craddock described the gripping action of the
posterior palatal seal or both. These errors may lead buccinator muscle on the buccal flange of the
to inadequate retention, due to the lack of peripheral mandibular denture and also coined the term "pear
seal8. shaped pad".
So it is important to discuss the factors
associated with complete denture retention, the 1962: Stamoulis believed that atmospheric pressure
importance of the posterior palatal seal, its location, combined with intimate tissue contact and peripheral
1
design, placement and influence on processing. seal comprise the most critical retentive forces .
Posterior palatal seal is described as “the soft tissues Retention is the resistance in the movement of a
along the junction of hard and soft palate on which denture away from its tissue foundation especially in a
pressure with in physiologic limits of the tissues can be vertical direction. A quality of a denture that holds it to
applied by a denture to aid in retention of the the tissue foundation and /or abutment teeth. GPT-7.
denture.” (GPT) 1964: Fish discussed determinants of retention and
differentiated between tissue, polished, and occlusal
Historical review surfaces and how each permits the dentist to
1883: Ames and the Greene brothers incorporate mechanical, biologic, and physical
introduced atmospheric pressure as a means of factors of the denture retention.
denture retention and recommended the use of Determination of vibrating lines and adding of
functional denture borders as opposed to passive posterior palatal seal is observed as an important
borders in the fabrication of complete dentures. steps in retention of maxillary dentures.
1886: Wilson described adhesion as the primary Vibrating lines lies at the junction of soft palate
determinant in denture retention. and the hard palate. Soft palate is a movable,
1907: Green brothers "Modeling compound" muscular fold, suspended from the posterior border of

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A Review On Posterior Palatal Seal Sudhakara Maller & Karthik

the hard palate. It separates the nasopharynx from palatini muscle and the muscular portion of the soft
oropharynx. palate. It demarcates the part of soft palate that has
Vibrating lines are imaginary lines across the limited /shallow movement during function (quivers)
posterior part of the palate, marking the division and the remainder of soft palate that is markedly
between the movable and immovable tissues of soft displaced during functional movements. It is elicited
palate. This can be identified when the movable by asking the patient to say 'ah' in short bursts in a
tissues are in function. normal, unexaggerated fashion. Posterior vibrating
The anatomic structures the help in recording line marks the most distal extension of denture base.
of these vibrating lines are palatine aponeurosis,
hamular process, median palatal raphe, fovea RATIONALE AND IMPORTANCE OF POSTERIOR
4
palatini, PALATAL SEAL
Addition of PPS transforms a base with adhesive
Posterior palatal seal: it is a seal area at the retention into very stable base with resistance to
posterior border of maxillary denture. It can be horizontal forces. It forms a partial vacuum when
divided into 2 areas – pterygomaxillary seal, Post subjected to force and enhance retention and stability.
3
palatal seal The partial vacuum created does not damage oral
structures and lasts for a very short duration. Care
Pterygomaxillary: seal extends through should be taken not to give excessive border seal as it
pterygomaxillary notch continuing 3-4mm occurs with over scrapping .Adequate distal extension
anterolaterally, approximating the mucogingival of denture base within physiologic limit helps in
junction. It occupies entire width of hamular notch increasing surface area coverage.
(loose connective tissue lying between pterygoid
hamulus of the sphenoid bone and distal portion of IMPORTANCE AND FUNCTIONS OF PPS
maxillary tuberosity). The notch is covered by 1. It maintains contact of denture with soft tissue
pterygomaxillary fold (extend from posterior aspect of during functional movements of stomatognathic
tuberosity to pad). This fold influences the posterior system, by which it decreases gag reflex.
border seal if mouth is wide open during final 2. Decreases food accumulation with adequate
impression procedure. tissue compressibility.
3. Decrease patient discomfort of tongue with
Post palatal seal: is an area between anterior and posterior part of denture.
posterior vibrating line found medially from one 4. Compensation of volumetric shrinkage that
tuberosity to other. It appears to be a cupids bow. occurs during the polymerization of PMMA
5. Increases retention and stability by creating
VIBRATING LINES: These are imaginary lines which partial vacuum.
delineate the PPS. There are two vibrating lines, 6. Increased strength of maxillary denture base.
- Anterior vibrating line
- Posterior vibrating line III. Designs of the posterior palatal seal
The most common Posterior palatal seal
ANTERIOR VIBRATING LINE:- It demarcates zone configuration described by Winland and Young.
of transition between no movement of the tissue 1. A bead posterior palatal seal
overlying hard palate and some movement of the 2. A double bead posterior palatal seal
tissue of the soft palate. It serves as an anterior border 3. A butterfly posterior palatal seal
of PP'S. It extends laterally into pterygomaxillary notch 4. A butterfly posterior palatal seal with a bead on the
. It always occurs in soft palate. posterior limit
5. A butterfly posterior palatal seal with the hamular
Methods of eliciting anterior vibrating line:- notch area cut to half the depth of a #9 bur
Valsalva manouevre – ask patient to blow air 6. A posterior palatal seal constructed in reference to
gently through nose with nostrils closed with fingers. House's classification of palatal forms;
Ask patient to say 'ah' with short vigourous bursts.
PARAMETERS OF PPS
POSTERIOR VIBRATING LINE:- Imaginary line at PPS has specific characteristics with different
2, 5, 6
the junction of the aponeurosis of the tensor veli parameters :

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A Review On Posterior Palatal Seal Sudhakara Maller & Karthik

1. Size. Curing method: the cause of dimensional change of

9
2. Shape pps are :
3. Location Polymerization shrinkage [8 %]
4. Displacibility. Linear shrinkage during cooling [0.44 %]
1) Size
Silverman performed a study on 92 DENTURE BASE THICKNESS: - the effect of
patients evaluating the PPS clinically thickness of denture base on pps has been interpreted
radiographically, histologically and found the with contradictory statements:-
following findings:- B. LEVIN - advices use of thin denture base for
The greatest mean anteroposterior width of PPS is class I soft palate ( pps is not deep but wide) and
8.0 mm (with 5-12 mm of range). thicker denture bases for class III soft palate ( pps is
The mean width was found to be different for right deep but not wide) ,medium thickness for class II soft
(8.2mm) and left side (8. l mm). palate .
The interhamular notch was found to be 35.8 mm
(25-48mm range) Effect of head position on pps :
The interhamular notch distance was found to be The maximum depression (downward and
different for males (37.1 mm) and females (35.6 mm) forward position) of the soft palate when FH plane is
2] Shape 30 degrees to the horizontal plane and tongue is
Class I – a butterfly shaped pps with 3 - 4 mm width. firmly positioned against mandibular anterior teeth. A
Class II- pps is narrow with 2 – 3 mm of width. properly positioned maxillary tray handle can serve as
Class III – a single beading made on the posterior substitute for missing incisors. At no time the patient
vibrating line should protrude the tongue beyond the approximated
3] Location position of the incisal edges as this will fore-hasten the
Location of PPS is not consistent and show lot of posterior border on the final impression. The head
variation, but on an average anterior vibrating line is and tongue translates the mandible anteriorly. The
1.31 mm distal to fovea palatini . soft palate will be brought downward and forward
due to indirect attachments of mandible and insertion
4] Displacement /Compressibility of palatoglossus muscle into the side of the tongue.
Lot of variation has been found within the PPS. But low Flexion of the head also contributes to moving excess
compressibility has been observed in midpalatal raphe impression material and saliva out of the mouth,
and hamular notch region. High compressibility has rather than progressing down the pharynx, while
been in the lateral part of cupids bow. It's variation maintaining the 30° flexion of the head and anterior
depends on the form of palatal vault: - tongue position. The patient is asked to rotate the
Class I_palate - shallow PPS head so that all functional positions of the soft palate
Class II palate - medium PPS are recorded.
Class III palate - deep PPS Different methods of recording PPS: -
Factors influencing pps: The accuracy of PPS 1) Conventional method.
reproduction in complete denture depends on various 2) Fluid wax technique.
factors: 3) Arbitrary scraping.
Configuration of hard palate.
Investing medium. I) CONVENTIONAL APPROACH-
Factors involved in processing of acrylic resin. Silverman: Ask patient to have astringent
Denture base thickness. mouthwash to remove stringy saliva and keep his
Head position. head upright. Dry the pps area with gauze and
Configuration of hard palate2,5: palpate for the hamular notch using a T – burnisher /
Hard palate has been classified by mouth mirror. Mark them with an indelible pencil or
Various authors : note visually to ensure that they are not covered by the
Nicholas – Tapering, Square, Arched /flat denture. T-burnisher is passed along posterior angle
Heartwell, Elinger, Sharry - based on different slopes, of maxillary tuberosity until it drops into the
Flat pterygomaxillary notch. Extend the mark from the
High pterygomaxillary notch 3-4mm antero-lateral to the
Medium maxillary tuberosity, approximating the mucogingival

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A Review On Posterior Palatal Seal Sudhakara Maller & Karthik

junction . This completes marking of pterygomaxillary Disadvantages: -

seal. Ask patient to say 'ah” in short bursts in an 1. Not a physiological technique and therefore
unexaggerated fashion. Observe movements of soft depends upon accurate transfer of vibrating line and
palate and mark posterior vibrating line and then careful scrapping.
connect it to the pterygomaxilliary seal. Advice patient 2. Potential for over compression is more.
not to close mouth to prevent smudging of markings.
The resin /shellac tray is then inserted into the mouth II) FLUID WAX TECHNIQUE: -
and seated firmly into place. Upon removal from the Start with locating and transfer of anterior and
mouth, the indelible lines should be transferred on the posterior vibrating line similar to conventional
tray. The tray is then returned to the master cast to approach. Then with markings made, final
complete the transfer of the posterior extension. impression is made using ZOE/impression plaster
(not with elastomeric impression material as they are
Mark anterior vibrating line using resilient, non adherent to wax and distort wax when
a) T-burnisher (by checking the compressibility, reseated into oral cavity).
in width and depth) - usually termination of
glandular tissue coincides with anterior vibrating line. Impression waxes used are: -
b) Valsalva maneuver: - place special tray inside the a] IOWA wax (white)- Dr.Earl. S. Smith.
mouth and get the markings on the tray which is later b] KORECTA wax no.4 (orange)- Dr. O. C. Applegate
transferred to the master cast. c] K.I physiologic paste (yellow - white) – Dr. C.S
The area of cast before the anterior and Howkins.
posterior vibrating lines is usually narrow in mid- d] Adaptol (green) Dr.Nathen G. Kyne.
palatal region due to the presence of posterior nasal
spines. The melted wax is painted into the impression
Master cast is scored using a Kinsley scraper. surface (within the outline of the seal area). The wax is
Deepest area of seal is located on either side of applied slightly in excess of the estimated depth and
midline (l/3rd distance anteriorly from posterior allowed to cool below mouth temperature to increase
vibrating line). It is scraped approximately 1.0 - its consistency and make it more resistant to flow. This
1.5mm. The tissue covering the median palatal raphe impression is carried to the mouth and held in place
has little sub-mucosa and cannot withstand the same under gentle pressure for 4-6 min allowing time for
compressive forces as the tissues lateral to it. The area the material to flow. Head position is critical (the FH
is scraped to the depth of approximately 0.5-1.0mm. plane to be at 30° to the horizontal plane)
Within the out line of the cupids bow, the cast is After 4 min remove impression tray and trim
scraped to a depth of about half the amount to which excess (or) if no tissue contact is established then add
the palatal tissues in the area can be compressed, and redo the procedure. Ask the patient not to rinse
being tapered progressively shallower anteriorly until with cold water, between the procedure (contraction of
it feathers out in the area of the anterior vibrating line. tissues and act to decrease flow properties of wax).
Then add additional amount of resin on tray over Examine the surface morphology of wax at anterior
scraped area and try in patient's mouth by asking him vibrating line. It should be a brief edge, if a step is
to say 'ah', and then check for any gap between tray found this indicates poor flow of material.
and soft palate. If gap is found then repeat scraping till
adequate seal is attained. Advantages:
1. It is physiologic technique of displacing tissues.
Advantage: - b) No over compression of tissues.
1. Highly retentive trial bases make recording jaw c) PPS is incorporated into trial denture base for
relations easier and precise. added retention.
2. Give psychological confidence to patient that d) No mechanical scraping of cast.
retention will not be a problem in complete
denture. Disadvantage:
3. Dentist is able to determine the retention of final a) Time consuming.
denture. b) Cumbersome procedure. - Difficulty in handling
4. Patient will be able to realize the posterior extent of material and additional care to be taken during
denture, which may ease the adaptation period. boxing procedure.

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III) ARBITRARY SCRAPING:- 4. Over post-damming:-

Winkler- Arbitrarily mark anterior and Commonly occurs due to aggressive
posterior vibrating line and scrape about 1- 1.5mm. It scraping of cast. If it occurs in Pterygomaxillary
is the least accurate method used to mark the PPS. seal the denture is displaced downward. If moderate
There is a high potential for over post-damming as it is post-damming is present then mild irritation is found.
a non physiologic technique of recording. It can be overcome by selectively relieving denture
Light bodied elastomers have also been used border with a carbide bur, followed by light pumicing.
to record the pps along with putty impression
procedures. Addition of pps to existing denture:-
Existing denture may have poor length and
WHEN TO RECORD PPS: depth of PPS. Properly examine existing dentures. If
There are two schools of thought as to when to there are other problems in the dentures (vertical
record pps. dimension, centric, esthetics etc.) then new dentures
a) Before try in - provide the patient with are to be made. If only PPS is short then correction
psychological confidence should be undertaken. Different authors using
b) After try in - prevent displacement of occlusal rim different materials have advised various techniques,
in posterior region leading to occlusal error in 2nd 1) Heat cure material.
molar region due to improper seating of bases during 2) Self cure acrylic resin.
jaw relation. 3) Light cure resin.

PROBLEMS WITH PPS11: - Summary:

1. Under-extension of denture:- The placement of the correct posterior palatal seal
It is the most common cause of seal failure is not a difficult procedure once the anatomy and
and mainly occurs due to use of fovea palatinea as physiology of the area are understood. Careful
a guideline for marking anterior and posterior examination during the diagnostic phase of the
vibrating line. By doing so 4 - 12 mm of tissue treatment can alleviate many potential problems.
coverage loss occur leading to decreased Following established techniques for the placement of
retention. the border seal will ensure a more retentive prosthesis
2. Over extension: for the patient, whose satisfaction is the main concern
It mainly occurs due to over extension of of the prosthodontist.
denture base by dentist for increased retention
causing physiological violation of soft palate References:
musculature. It mainly shows with symptoms of: 1. Blahoua, Z. and Neuman, M. Physical Factors
A] Mucosal ulcerations in the Retention of Dentures. J Prosthet Dent
B] Physiological violation of soft palate musculature. 1971.25: 30-5.
2. Nikoukari, H. A study of posterior palatal seals
C] Sharp pain if pterygoid hamulus is covered.
with varying palatal forms. J Prosthet Dent
D] Painful swallowing. 1975.34: 605-613.
It can be managed by selectively relieving the pressure 3. Sidney I Silverman, DDS. Dimensions and
areas and decrease the distal length. displacement patterns of the posterior palatal
3. Under post-damming: mainly occurs due to seal. J Prosthet Dent 1971.25:470-488.
Due to improper depth of post-damming, 4. Hardy, I.R. and Kapur, K.K. Posterior border
Use of improper technique seal - Its rationale and importance. J Prosthet
Dent 1958.8:386-397.
Recording PPS in a wide open position 5. Stephen Galzier, BS, David N Firtell, DDS, MA,
-causes toughening of pterygomandibular and Larry L Harmon, DDS. Posterior peripheral
ligament which shorten the pterygomaxillary seal. seal distortion related to height of maxillary
It can be diagnosed using 2 tests:- ridge. J Prosthet Dent 1980.43:508-510.
Seat dentures in patient's mouth and ask patient to 6. W i n l a n d , R D a n d Yo u n g J M . M a x i l l a r y
say 'ah', and with mouth mirror view for any gap. complete denture posterior palatal seal:
Va r i a t i o n s i n s i z e , s h a p e a n d l o c a t i o n .
Place wet denture base and press slowly in midpalatal
J. Prosthet Dent 1973.29:256-261.
region and bubbles escaping at any point on distal 7. Avant, W. E. A comparison of complete denture
denture border indicates area of under post bases having different types of posterior palatal
damming. seal. J Prosthet Dent 1973.29:484-493.

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A Review On Posterior Palatal Seal Sudhakara Maller & Karthik

8. Chen, M. Reliability of the Fovea Palatini for 11. Sheldon Winkler. Essentials of complete denture
Determining the Posterior Border of the Maxillary prosthodontics, second edition.
Denture. J Prosthet Dent 1980.43:133-137. 12. George A. Zarb, Charles L. Bolender. Boucher's
9. Firtell, D. et al. Posterior Palatal Seal Distortion Prosthodontic Treatment for Edentulous Patients, tenth
Related to Processing Temperature. J Prosthet edition.
Dent 1981.45:598-601. 13. Alexander R. Halperin, Gerald N. Graser: Mastering
10. Barco MT, et al. The effect of relining on the the art of complete dentures. Quintessence Publishing
accuracy and stability of maxillary complete Co., Inc. 1988.
dentures- An in vitro and in vivo study.
J. Prosthet Dent 1979.42: 17-22.

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