Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of Materials and Methods Used for Recording Posterior Palatal Seal Among Dental Practitioners and Dental Students
Nurul Syamimi Binti, Mohd Azlan Sunil and Ashish R. JainDepartment of Prosthodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
Corresponding Author E-mail: dr.ashishjain_r@yahoo.com
Abstract: The posterior palatal seal (PPS) is an important structure aiding in retention of maxillary complete denture. Failure to properly record it may lead to seal failure, decrease retention and physiological violation of palate. Proper methods and materials to record PPS should be used to achieve good retention of denture and patient’s comfort. To find out the most common methods and materials used for recording PPS among dental practitioners and dental students. 13 question questionnaire on knowledge, methods and materials to record PPS was prepared. 100 participants (50 dental practitioners, 50 dental students) from Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha University in Chennai was involved. The questionnaires were directly distributed and collected data was tabulated and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2013. 63% of participants correctly indicated pterygomaxillary seal and postpalatal seal as regions of PPS. 57% knew how to locate vibrating lines. 73% knew anterior vibrating line is cupids bow shape. 42% prefer arbitrary scraping, however, 64% indicated that it is the least accurate method. 49% and 44%, respectively, prefer IOWA wax and Korecta wax to record PPS. In a conventional technique, 73% prefer using ball-end of T-burnisher. 28% indicated butterfly shaped with notching of hamular notch as common form of PPS. 35% agreed that class 1 variation of PPS is the most common. 26% indicated the anterior vibrating line is 1.31mm distal to fovea palatine. 31% agreed lateral part of cupids bow has the highest compressibility. 45% indicated 5-12mm as anteroposterior width of PPS. The most preferred technique was arbitrary scraping. Most participants prefer IOWA wax and Korecta wax in case of fluid wax technique and flat-end part of T-burnisher is preferred in conventional technique. Results on knowledge of anatomical landmarks and parameter of PPS indicate that there is a need to emphasize on the importance of PPS with proper learning.
Keywords: Denture Retention; Knowledge on PPS; Materials to Record PPS; Methods of Recording PPS; PPS Survey Back to TOC