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Updated: Apr 23, 2026
Author Spotlight: 3D Movement Assessment of Maxillary Posterior Teeth in Clear Aligner Treatment
Published on: February 23, 2024
Defining the posterior palatal seal on a definitive impression for a maxillary complete denture by using a nonfluid
Russell Wicks1, Swati Ahuja2, Vinay Jain3
1Professor and Chair, Department of Prosthodontics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Dentistry Memphis, Tenn.
Abstract:
The posterior palatal seal area is defined as the soft tissue area at or beyond the junction of the hard and soft palates on which pressure within physiologic limits can be applied by a removable complete denture to aid in its retention. The retention of the maxillary denture is affected by the extent and the design of the posterior palatal seal. This article discusses a method of defining the posterior palatal seal on a definitive impression for a maxillary complete denture by using microabrasion and a nonfluid wax addition technique.
