Anatomical landmarks

1. Anatomical landmarksAnatomical landmarks

2. Introduction Introduction
M.M Devan Dictum “Aim of a prosthodontist is M.M Devan Dictum “Aim of a prosthodontist is
not only the meticulous replacement of what is not only the meticulous replacement of what is
missing, but also perpetual preservation of missing, but also perpetual preservation of
what is present”what is present”
Complete denture must function in harmony Complete denture must function in harmony
with the remaining natural tissues so for the with the remaining natural tissues so for the
success, a through knowledge of the anatomy success, a through knowledge of the anatomy
is a must.is a must.

3. Maxillary landmarksMaxillary landmarks
1.1.Labial frenumLabial frenum
2.2.Labial vestibuleLabial vestibule
3.3.Buccal frenumBuccal frenum
4.4.Buccal vestibuleBuccal vestibule
5.5.Distobuccal sulcusDistobuccal sulcus
6.6.Alveolar ridgeAlveolar ridge
7.7.TuberosityTuberosity
8.8.Hamular notchHamular notch
9.9.Hard palate (flat portions)Hard palate (flat portions)
10.10.Fovea palataniFovea palatani
11.11.Mid palatine sutureMid palatine suture
12.12.Incissive papillaeIncissive papillae
13.13.Rugae Rugae

4. Labial frenumLabial frenum
Single band of fibrousSingle band of fibrous
connective tissueconnective tissue
Properly relieved Properly relieved

6. Labial vestibuleLabial vestibule
Extends from labial frenumExtends from labial frenum
to buccal frenum.to buccal frenum.
Proper lip support should be Proper lip support should be
provided.provided.

8. Buccal frenumBuccal frenum
Consist of one or moreConsist of one or more
bands.bands.
Relieved Relieved
Influenced by 3 musclesInfluenced by 3 muscles

Orbicularis oris (forward)Orbicularis oris (forward)

Buccinator (backward)Buccinator (backward)

Caninus (position)Caninus (position)

10. Buccal vestibuleBuccal vestibule
Buccal frenum to hamularBuccal frenum to hamular
notchnotch
Influenced byInfluenced by

BuccinatorBuccinator

ModiolusModiolus

Coronid process of mandibleCoronid process of mandible

11. Alveolar ridgeAlveolar ridge
Ridge left after the extraction Ridge left after the extraction
of teeth.of teeth.
Mucosa is firmly attached toMucosa is firmly attached to
the periosteum of the bone.the periosteum of the bone.
Consist of dense collagenous fibers.Consist of dense collagenous fibers.

13. Maxillary tuberosityMaxillary tuberosity
Posterior convexityPosterior convexity
Combination syndromeCombination syndrome

15. Hamular notchHamular notch
Pterygomaxillary notchPterygomaxillary notch
Distal extension of dentureDistal extension of denture
Identifying the PPS area.Identifying the PPS area.
Situated between the tuberosity and Situated between the tuberosity and
hamulus of the medial pterygoid plate.hamulus of the medial pterygoid plate.

16. Hard palateHard palate
Flat areas as secondary Flat areas as secondary
retentive areas.retentive areas.
U shaped palateU shaped palate
Flat palate (not good support)Flat palate (not good support)
V shaped palate (least favorable)V shaped palate (least favorable)

17. Fovea palatineFovea palatine
Formed by coalescence of Formed by coalescence of
several mucous gland ducts.several mucous gland ducts.
Landmark for location of Landmark for location of
vibrating line.vibrating line.

19. Mid palatine sutureMid palatine suture
Junction of palatine process Junction of palatine process
of maxilla.of maxilla.
Covered by a thin mucosaCovered by a thin mucosa
Slightly elevated or raisedSlightly elevated or raised
Proper relief required.Proper relief required.

21. Incisive papillaeIncisive papillae
Pad of fiberous connective Pad of fiberous connective
tissue over incisive foramentissue over incisive foramen
Proper relief should be given.Proper relief should be given.
Aid in arrangement of anterior teeth and Aid in arrangement of anterior teeth and
jaw relation.jaw relation.

23. Rugae Rugae
Resist the horizontal forces Resist the horizontal forces
against the denture.against the denture.
Should not be over Should not be over
compressed.compressed.

26. Mandibular land marksMandibular land marks
1.1.Labial frenumLabial frenum
2.2.Labial vestibuleLabial vestibule
3.3.Buccal frenumBuccal frenum
4.4.Buccal vestibuleBuccal vestibule
5.5.Buccal shelf areaBuccal shelf area
6.6.Retromolar padRetromolar pad
7.7.Pear shaped padPear shaped pad
8.8.Lingual frenumLingual frenum
9.9.Lingual vestibuleLingual vestibule

28. Labial frenumLabial frenum
Single narrow bandSingle narrow band
Usually shorter and Usually shorter and
wider than maxillary.wider than maxillary.

30. Labial vestibuleLabial vestibule
Between labial andBetween labial and
buccal frenumbuccal frenum
Support to the lower lip.Support to the lower lip.

31. Buccal frenumBuccal frenum
Single or more bands.Single or more bands.
More clearance requiredMore clearance required

33. Buccal vestibuleBuccal vestibule
Extend up to external Extend up to external
oblique ridge.oblique ridge.
Denture borders mayDenture borders may
overextend in this regionoverextend in this region

35. Buccal shelf areaBuccal shelf area
It is the primary stress It is the primary stress
bearing area.bearing area.
Consist of thick corticalConsist of thick cortical
bone & dense connectivebone & dense connective
tissuetissue

38. Retromolar pad areaRetromolar pad area
Forms the distal end ofForms the distal end of
the denture.the denture.
Consist of loose Consist of loose
connective tissueconnective tissue

39. Pear shaped padPear shaped pad
Aggregation of mucous Aggregation of mucous
glands and loose,glands and loose,
connective tissue.connective tissue.
Formed after residual Formed after residual
scar of third molar.scar of third molar.
Muscle attachmentsMuscle attachments

Posteriorly – temporalis tendonsPosteriorly – temporalis tendons

Laterally – buccinatorLaterally – buccinator

Medially – pterygomandibular raphe and superior Medially – pterygomandibular raphe and superior
constrictor of pharynx.constrictor of pharynx.

40. Lingual frenumLingual frenum
Fibrous band of tissue Fibrous band of tissue
that overlies genioglossus that overlies genioglossus
Proper clearance requiredProper clearance required

41. Lingual vestibuleLingual vestibule
Divided into threeDivided into three

Anterior vestibule Anterior vestibule

Middle vestibuleMiddle vestibule

Distolingual vestibuleDistolingual vestibule

42. Anterior Anterior
Also called sublingual crescent areaAlso called sublingual crescent area
Structures presentStructures present

Genioglossus musclesGenioglossus muscles

Lingual frenumLingual frenum

Anterior portion of sublingual glandAnterior portion of sublingual gland

44. Middle Middle
Also called mylohyoid vestibuleAlso called mylohyoid vestibule
Is the largest portion of lingual vestibuleIs the largest portion of lingual vestibule
Structures seenStructures seen

Mylohyoid muscle Mylohyoid muscle

Sublingual glandSublingual gland

46. Posterior Posterior
Also called lateral throat form orAlso called lateral throat form or
retromylohyoid fossaretromylohyoid fossa
BoundariesBoundaries

Anteriorly – mylohyoid muscleAnteriorly – mylohyoid muscle

Laterally – pear shaped padLaterally – pear shaped pad

Posteriorly – retromylohyoid curtainPosteriorly – retromylohyoid curtain

Medially - tongueMedially - tongue