Lec 3
Lec 3
Lec 3
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ANATOMICAL LANDMARKS IN
THE MANDIBLE
They can be broadly grouped into:
Limiting Structures
• Labial frenum.
• Labial vestibule.
• Buccal frenum.
• Buccal vestibule.
• Lingual frenum.
• Alveololingual sulcus.
• Retromolar pads.
•Mylohyoid ridge.
•External oblique line.
Supporting Structures
• Buccal shelf area
• Residual alveolar ridge
Relief Areas
• Crest of the residual alveolar ridge.
• Mental foramen.
• Genial tubercles
• Torus mandibularis.
Labial Frenum
It is a fibrous band similar to that found in
the maxilla. Unlike the maxillary labial
frenum, it is active. The mandibular labial
frenum receives attachment from the
orbicularis oris muscle. Hence, it is quite
sensitive and active. On opening wide, the
sulcus gets narrowed.
pg. 1
2nd year/Lec3 prosthodontics وسماء صادق محمود.د.م.أ
Labial frenum
Labial Vestibule
This is the space between the residual alveolar ridge and the lips. The
length and thickness of the labial flange of the denture occupying this
space is Important in influencing lip support and retention.
Buccal Frenum
The fibers of the buccinator are attached to the frenum. It should be
relieved to prevent displacement of the denture during function.
Buccal Vestibule
It extends posteriorly from the buccal
frenum till the retromolar region. It is
bound by the residual alveolar ridge on
one side and buccinator on the other side.
Lingual Frenum
It is a fold of mucous membrane can be observed when the tongue is elevated,
extending along the floor of the mouth to the under surface of the tongue. It will
produce the lingual notch in the denture. This frenum is activated when the
tongue
pg. 2
2nd year/Lec3 prosthodontics وسماء صادق محمود.د.م.أ
lingual flange. This anterior portion of the lingual flange is called sub-
Alveololingual Sulcus
pg. 3
2nd year/Lec3 prosthodontics وسماء صادق محمود.د.م.أ
(a) (b)
The arrows showes the retromlar pad area on(a) impression and(b) cast.
pg. 4
2nd year/Lec3 prosthodontics وسماء صادق محمود.د.م.أ
Mylohyoid ridge:
It is an irregular bony crest on the lingual
surface of the mandible. This ridge is near the
inferior border of the mandible in the incisor
region but becomes
Relief area:
1. Mental Foramen:
It is located on the external surface of the mandible between the 1st and
2nd premolar area. In case of sever resorption of residual ridge, the
denture should be relieved over the foramen to prevent pressure being
applied on the mental nerves and blood vessels.
2. Genial tubercle:
These are a pair of bony tubercles found anteriorly on the lingual side of
the body of the mandible. Due to resorption, it may become increasingly
prominent making denture usage difficult.
pg. 5
2nd year/Lec3 prosthodontics وسماء صادق محمود.د.م.أ
3. Torus Mandibularis:
It is an abnormal bony prominence found
bilaterally on the lingual side, near the
premolar region. It is covered by a thin
mucosa. It has to be relieved or surgically
removed as decided by its size and extent.
Supporting Structures:
The mandibular denture poses a great technical challenge. The support for
a mandibular denture comes from the body of the mandible. The available
denture-bearing area for an edentulous mandible is 14 cm2 but for maxilla
it is 24 cm2.
Buccal Shelf Area:
It is the area between the buccal frenum and anterior border of the
masseter. Its boundaries are:
• Medially the crest of the ridge
• Distally the retro-molar pad
• Laterally the external oblique ridge.
pg. 6
2nd year/Lec3 prosthodontics وسماء صادق محمود.د.م.أ
The bony process that remains after loss of teeth is known as residual
alveolar ridge bone. The size and shape of the ridge varies from one
patient to
another. The bone of crest of lower residual ridge being made of spongy
bone therefore may not be favorable as a primary stress bearing area for
the lower denture. It won’t provide stability or support to the denture.
pg. 7