Post-dam in complete dentures Dr Sara Jaser

MDSc in Prosthodontics - UK

MFDS RCSEd - UK

BDS - Jordan

No posterior…..!!

Posterior palatal seal area

• The soft tissues at or beyond the junction of the hard and soft palates on which pressure, within the physiologic limits of the tissues, can be applied by a denture.

Post dam

• The elevated lip of acrylic in the denture contacting the posterior palatal seal area.

Aims

• Complete the peripheral seal

consequently achieving…

• Retention

• Stability

Advantages

1. Reduces:

-Gag reflex

-Tongue discomfort

-Food accumulation

2. Compensate for volumetric shrinkage

3. Partial vacuum effect

Anatomical Landmarks

• Pterygomaxillary notch

• Pterygoid process

• Maxillary tuberosity

• Fovea palatini

• Median palatal raphe

• Pterygomandibular raphe

• Posterior nasal spine

• Torus palatinus

All but….!!

• Pterygomaxillary seal

• Postpalatal seal

• AVL

• PVL

• Posterior palatal seal area

House Classification

• Class I Class II Class III

Postdamming - Outlines

• Major-Minor

• Cupid-bow

• Single line

Class ??

Class ??

Depth and Width

Postdamming - Stages

• Master Impression

• Jaw registration

• Try-in

• Post insertion

Techniques

• Anatomical

• Functional – fluid wax technique

• Arbitrary (dentist/technician)

Techniques - anatomical

Potential Over-compression

Techniques - functional

Fluid wax technique

Advantages Disadvantages

• Physiologic technique

• Over-compression is avoided

• Mechanical scraping of the cast is avoided

• Posterior palatal seal is added to the trial base

• Time!

• Difficulty handling the material

Troubleshooting

• Underextension

• Overextension

Troubleshooting

• Shallow

• Deep

It is your job and only yours!!