Ana to my and Physio log y In R el ati on to

Com ple te Den tur e Cons tr uc tio n

The knowledge of oral anatomy and physiology will help the operator and provides
enough landmarks to act as positive guide during denture construction.
This subject can be discussed under:
[ I ] Extra-oral landmarks of prosthetic importance.
[ II ] Intra-oral landmarks of prosthetic importance:
a) In the maxilla.
b) In the mandible.
[ III ] Border structures that limit the periphery of the denture:
a) In the maxilla.
b) In the mandible.
[ IV ] Anatomy and physiology of the T.M. J. and mandibular movements.
[ I ] Ex tr a-or al Lan dm ar ks Of Pr os th etic I mp or tan ce:
La nd mar k
Desc rip tion
Si gni fica nce
1- Inter-pupillary
line

- Imaginary line running between

the two pupils of the eye when the
pt. is looking straight forward.

- Establishing the anterior Occlusal

plane of the artificial teeth of the
denture.

2- Ala-tragus line

- Imaginary line running from the

Inferior border of the ala of the
nose to the superior border of the
tragus of the ear.

- Establishing the posterior

Occlusal plane of the artificial teeth
of the denture.

3- Canthus-tragus
line

- Imaginary line running from the

outer canthus of the eye to the
superior border of the tragus of
the ear.

- Locating the position of the

condyles.

4- Naso-labial
sulcus

- Depression that extends from the

ala of the nose in a downward and
lateral direction to the corner of
the mouth.

- After extraction of teeth it

becomes accentuated and should be
restored by complete denture.

5- Vermillion
border

- The transitional epithelium

between the mucous membrane of
the lip and the skin.

- After extraction disappears in the

upper lip and becomes accentuated
in the lower& should be restored
by a complete denture.

6- Mento-labial
sulcus

- Depression runs horizontally

between the lower lip and chin.

- It determines the Angle of

Classification:
1- Angle class [I]: Normal ridge
relationship.
2- Angle class [II[: Retruded
mandibular position.
3- Angle class [III]: Protruded
maxillo-mandibular relation ship.

(Camper's line)

La nd mar k

Desc rip tion

Si gni fica nce

7- Philtrum

- Diamond-shaped area between

the center of the upper lip and the
base of the nose.

- After extraction of teeth it

becomes flattened and should be
restored by a complete denture.

8- Modiolus

- The point of meeting of facial

muscle fibers.

- After extraction of teeth it

becomes downwards and should be
restored by a complete denture.

9- Angle of the
mouth (commissure

- Point of meeting between the

upper and lower lip.

- (Angular Chilitis): Inflammation

and ulceration as a result of:
1- Prolonged edentulism.
2- vertical dimension of complete
denture.
3- Vitamin B deficiency.

of the lips)

Fig.1: A, The Philtrum, naso-labial sulcus, commissure of the lips& mento-labial sulcus.
B, Modiolus and Orbicularis Oris muscle.

Fig.2: Profile view showing the relation of the upper and lower anterior teeth and the curvature of
mento-labial sulcus.

[ I I ] In tr a-or al l and mar k of pr ost heti c impor ta nc e:

A- In the Maxilla:
La nd mar k
Desc rip tion
Si gni fica nce
1- Residual ridge

- The portion of the alveolar

process& it's soft tissue covering
that remains after extraction.

- It covers by a dense connective

tissue fibers so, it can be act as a
1ry stress bearing area.

2- Maxillary
tuberosity

- Bony prominence located

posterior to the upper 3rd molar.

- Aid in support, retention and

stability of the complete denture.
- When it is large:
1- Relieved.
2- Modify the path of insertion.
(unilateral enlargement).
3- Surgical removal.

3- Median palatine
raphe

- The mucoperiostium that covers

the median palatine suture.

- When it is prominent it should

be relieved.
- Lack of relief cause:
1- rocking of the denture due to
bone resorption.
2- Tissue ulceration.
3- Mid-line denture fracture.

4- Incisive papilla

- Pear-shaped elevation present in

the midline behind the 2 centrals.

- After extraction of teeth it

migrates to the crest of the ridge.
- It should be relieved to avoid
the burning sensation of the
palate.

5- Palatine rugae

- It is irregular elevations radiates

from the midline of the anterior
part of the palate.

- 2ry stress bearing area.

- Prevent forward movement of
the denture.
- If it is sensitive or prominent it
should be relived.

6- Torus palatinus

- Bony prominence present at both - It should be:

sides of the midline of the palate.
1- Relieved.
2- Surgical removal.

7- Fovea palatinae

- Two openings of minor salivary

glands present in both sides of the
midline posterior to junction of
hard and soft palate.

Fig.3: A, Diagram of
the upper arch.
B, Diagram of the
lateral surface of the
maxilla.

- It determines the posterior

extension of the upper complete
denture to be 2mm posterior to
it.

B- In the Mandible:
La nd mar k

Desc rip tion

Si gni fica nce

1- residual ridge

- The portion of the alveolar

process& it's soft tissue covering
that remains after extraction.

- Don't used as 1ry stress bearing

area Covered by movable
fibrous connective tissue.
- Don't Provide stability or
support.

2- External
oblique ridge

- Bony ridge running downward

and forward from ramus to reach
mental foramen.

- It is a limiting structure to the

complete denture and not extend
to it.

3- Buccal shelf
area

- Bony area extends between the

external oblique ridge and the
residual ridge.

- Used as 1ry stress bearing area:

1- Perpendicular to the vertical
masticatory force.
2- Formed from compact bone.
3- provide support.

4- Mental foramen

- It's located on the Buccal surface

of the mandible between the roots
of 1st and 2nd premolar.

- Lack of relief numbness of

the lower lip.

5- Retromolar pad

- Pear-shaped area located distal

to the lower 3rd molar.

- Shock absorbent.
- Gives retention not support.
- Determine the level of the
Occlusal plane.

6- Torus
mandibularis

- Bony prominence located at the

inner surface of premolar area.

- It should be:
1- Relieved.
2- Surgical removal.

7- Internal oblique
ridge (Mylohyoid

- Irregular bony ridge of median

surface of the mandible which the
Mylohyoid muscle attached.

- It should be relieved during

complete denture construction.

- Two bony projections present at

the median surface of mandible at
midline of each side of symphesis.

- Represent the attachment of

geniohyiod and genioglossus
muscles.
- If it's prominent, it should be
relieved.

ridge)
8- Genial tubercle

(Mental spine)

Fig.4: Diagram showing

the mandible:
A, Buccal view.
B, Lingual view.

[ III ] Border Structures That Limits The Periphery Of The Denture: