Vol 21 No. 1

J Bagh College Dentistry Vol.21(1), 2009 Reliability of fovea …
Reliability of fovea palatinea in determining the posterior
palatal seal
Yasmen T. AL – Alousi, B.D.S, M.Sc. (1)
ABSTRACT
Background: The present study was carried out to study the position of fovea platinae in relation to posterior palatal
seal (post dam) in an Iraqi, population sample, whether in front, at or behind, and gender differentiations.
Material and methods: A clinical examination was carried out on 200 patients with edentulous maxillary arch,
attending prosthetic Department in the College of Dentistry, Baghdad University. Only 110 patients meet the study's
criteria. Each patient was examined for the location of vibrating line whether in front, at or behind the fovea
platinae.
Results: The results showed that 50.9% of patients had their vibrating line at their fovea platinae, 44.5% had it in front
and 6.4% behind. There were highly significant differences between; age groups of patients, gender distribution of
patients, significant differences between; age group and gender of patients, and non significant differences
between gender and position of posterior palatal seal in relation to fovea palatinae.
Conclusion: The study concluded that fovea palatinae is: A reliable anatomical land mark that helps in determining
the posterior palatal seal (post dam). The majority of patients had their vibrating line at their fovea palatinae
Key words: Posterior palatal seal, post dam, fovea platinae, vibrating line. J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2009; 21(1): 41-45)
INTRODUCTION
Determining the location of the posterior
border of the maxillary denture plays an
important role in its retention and patient
comfort.
Since the twenties of last century many
authors have evaluated techniques relating to the
location of the posterior border of the maxillary
denture. One of the easiest and most practical
methods is using the anatomical land marks
(fovea palatinae and hamuler notches). (1)
All authors agreed about the relation
between the vibrating line and the posterior
border of the maxillary denture. (2-4) The vibrating
line of the palate is the junction between the
movable and immovable portion of the soft
palate. (2,3)
To determine the location of the vibrating
line there are the fallowing techniques:
1. Phonation of the "ah" sound. (1,4)
2. The swallowing method. (5,6)
3. The nose blowing method. (4)
Some anatomical structures are significant
guides for locating the posterior border of the
maxillary denture. These guides include the
fovea palatinae which are close to the vibrating
line and are always in soft tissue, making them
useful guides for the location of the dentures
posterior border (3,7) .
The aim of this study is to investigate the
reliability of fovea palatinae for determining the
posterior border of the maxillary denture.
(1) Assistant lecturer, Department of Prosthodontics, College of
Dentistry, Baghdad University
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A clinical examination of the palate of 200
patients with edentulous maxillary arch, randomly
selected from patients at- tendering prosthetic
Department in the College of Dentistry Baghdad
University.
The palate of each patient was examined for
evidence of pathological changes, for the visibility,
number and location of the fovea palatinae, plus
the visibility of the vibrating line. From 200
patients only 110 met the study criteria, 76 male
and 34 female of age groups ranging from (40-85)
years. These patients were asked to open wide and
pronounce "ah" sound repetitively; both the fovea
palatinae and the vibrating line were marked with
an indelible pencil after drying the area with gauze.
Each patient was examined by three seniors
independently. If they agreed to the position of the
vibrating line whether in front, at or behind the
fovea palatinae. They will proceed to the next
patient if not they will repeat the examination until
their results coincide.
Suitable statistical methods were used in order
to analyze and assess the results using a computer
through the SPSS program and Excel application,
descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.
RESULTS
The following tables and figures involved
the results of many parameters investigated to
evaluate patients. These studied parameters
involved in this study will be reviewed and
discussed as follows:
Distribution of age groups (Year) of patients:
(Table and Figure 1)
A total of 110 patients were included in the
present study. Data from table and figure 1
indicated that the number and percentage of
Restorative Dentistry 41