Posterior Palatal Seal and

Speech Considerations With

Complete Dentures

Dr Anas Alibrahim

BDS, MDSc (Pros), PhD

Outline
 Vibrating line
 Posterior palatal seal:
 Introduction and definition
 Functions
 Anatomic and physiologic considerations
 Palatal throat form (House’s classification)
 Speech considerations with complete dentures
 Introduction and definition
 Classification of sounds according to the anatomic parts involved
in their production:
• Bilabial sounds
• Labiodental sounds
• Linguodental sounds
• Linguoalveolar sounds
o S sound
 References
Clinical and laboratory steps
Clinical Laboratory

1st Examination, assessment Primary casts and special

and primary impressions trays fabrication

2nd Border moulding and Master casts and record

secondary impressions blocks fabrication

3rd Jaw relation registration, Mounting,

teeth shade and mould setting of teeth and waxing
selection
4th Try-in Final waxing and processing
final dentures

5th Insertion

6th Review and follow up

Vibrating line

 Definition
 Also called “ah” line
 Extends from one
hamular notch to the
other
 Usually 2mm in front of
the fovea palatinae
 Should be described as
an area rather than a
line
Posterior palatal seal
 A soft tissue along the
junction of the hard and
the soft palate on which
pressure within the
physiologic limits of the
tissues can be applied
by a denture to aid in
the retention of the
denture
 Achieved by a seal area
at the posterior border
of the denture (post
dam area)
Synonyms
 Posterior palatal seal also called:

• Posterior border seal

• Post dam
• Posterior peripheral seal
• Posterior valvular seal
Functions
 The main function is to aid in the retention of
the maxillary denture
 Compensates for volumetric shrinkage
 Reduces gag reflex
 Reduces food accumulation beneath the
posterior border of denture
 Reduces patient discomfort when contact
occurs between the dorsum of the tongue and
the posterior border of the denture
 Strengthens denture
 Serves as a guide for the technician
Posterior palatal seal - functions
 Intimate contact
and proper
utilization of tissue
compressibility
Anatomic and physiologic considerations -1

 Should be between
vibrating line and
junction between
hard and soft plate
 Vibrating line:
junction between
the movable and
immovable part of
the soft palate
Anatomic and physiologic considerations -2

 Should extend
through
pterygomaxillary
notches (hamular
notches) and
continue 3-4 mm
anterolaterally
approximating the
mucogingival
junction
Anatomic and physiologic considerations -3

 Butterfly shape for

proper utilisation of the
compressibility of the
tissues
 Should be 0.5 mm in
shallowest depth (least
compressible area) and
1.5 mm in deepest area
(most compressible
area)
 The width is influenced
by the palatal throat
form (House’s
classification)
House’s classification - 1
 Class I:
• Soft palate is almost horizontal
• Broadest area of the vibrating line
• Wide posterior palatal seal area
• Best retention
 Class II:
• Palatal contour lies somewhere
between class I and III
• Medium width of posterior palatal seal
area
 Class III:
• Soft palate turns sharply down from
the hard palate
• Small posterior palatal seal area
• Worst for retention
• Seen in conjunction with high V shape
palatal vault
Speech considerations with complete
dentures
 Why does the patient seek treatment?
♦ Appearance
♦ Function
♦ Comfort
♦ Speech
♦ Psychological
Speech - introduction
 A very sophisticated, autonomous, and
unconscious activity
 Its production involves neural, muscular,
acoustic, and auditory factors
 The anterior teeth, tongue, and lips act as
a part of the valving mechanism which
modifies the flow of air to produce speech
sounds
Speech - Considerations with complete
dentures

 Rare problems with new

dentures
 Ability of patients to
adapt
 However, difficult to
mange if persistent
 Denture should conform
to the individual
patient’s existing
neuromuscular pattern
Classification of sounds according to the
anatomic part involved in their production -1
 Bilabial sounds:  Labiodental
Formed by the lips sounds: formed by
(b, p, and m) lips and teeth (f
and v)
Classification of sounds according to the
anatomic part involved in their production -2
 Linguodental  Linguoalveolar
sounds: formed by sounds: formed by the
tongue and teeth tip of the tongue and the
most anterior part of the
e.g. th palate (e.g. t, d, s, z, and
l)
Bilabial sounds (b, p, and m)
 Made by contact of
the lips
 Insufficient support
of the lips can
cause these sounds
to be defective
• Anteroposterior position of
teeth
• Thickness of the labial
flange
• Incorrect VDO
Labiodental sounds (f and v) - 1
 Made between the
upper incisors and
the labiolingual
centre to the
posterior third of
the lower lip
 Influenced by the
length and the
anteroposterior
position of upper
anterior teeth
Labiodental sounds (f and v) –
Length of upper anterior teeth
 If upper anterior  If upper anterior
teeth are too short, teeth are too long,
“v” sound will be “f” sound will be
more like “f” more like “v”
Labiodental sounds (f and v) – Anteroposterior
position of upper anterior teeth
Linguodental sounds (e.g. th in this, these, and those)

 Made with the tip of the

tongue extending slightly
between the upper and
lower anterior teeth
 Anteroposterior position of
anterior teeth:
• Less than 3mm of tongue
is visible teeth are set
too far forward or
excessive vertical overlap
• More than 6mm of tongue
is visible teeth are set
too far posterir
Linguoalveolar sounds (e.g. t, d, s, z, and l)
 Made with the valve
formed by contact of the
tip of the tongue with the
most anterior part of the
palate (the alveolus)
 The sibilants (sharp
sounds) s, z, sh, ch, and j
are alveolar sounds
because the tongue and
alveolus form the
controlling valve
 The upper and lower
incisors should approach
end to end but not touch
S sound -1
 Made with the tip of the
tongue against the
alveolus in the area of the
rugae, but with a small
space for air to escape
between the tongue and
alveolus
• If space too small
whistle
• If space is too broad s
will be replaced by sh
• Importance of appropriate
palatal contour and
thickness
S sound - 2
 S becomes like sh
when palate is too
thick in the canines
areas
S sound - 3
 S become like th if
upper incisors are
too far posteriorly
 S becomes like sh
if upper incisors
are too far
anteriorly
S sound - 4
 Also important for
assessment of VDO
adequate freeway
space?
 Teeth should not hit
each other while
pronouncing S
 The existing space while
pronouncing S is called
“closest speaking space”
 The space between
teeth is larger while
pronouncing other
sounds
References

 George A. Zarb and C. L. Bolender

(Twelfth Edition). Prosthodontic Treatment
for Edentulous Patients, Mosby. Chapter
19, pages 379-388.
 George A. Zarb and C. L. Bolender
(Twelfth Edition). Prosthodontic Treatment
for Edentulous Patients, Mosby. Chapter
13, page 217.
 Handout.