A comparative clinical trial for evaluating the posterior palatal seal developed from the conventional method and a novel functional swallow method.

Aims: The aim of this in vivo study was to compare the influence of posterior palatal seal (PPS) developed from the conventional method and a novel functional swallow method on the retention of custom tray and heat cure denture base. Settings and Design: This was a nonrandomized crossover clinical trial. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients requiring maxillary complete dentures were selected. In Group 1, for all twenty patients, the PPS was developed with the conventional functional method during border molding and a conventional cast scoring was performed before processing the denture base. In Group 2, for all the twenty patients, the PPS was developed with a novel functional swallow method and the master cast was "not" scored before processing the denture base. The retention was objectively measured using a dynamometer after border molding and also after processing the denture base for both groups. Statistical Analysis Used: Independent Student's t-test and paired t-test were used for analysis. Results: The mean retention value of Group 2 was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than Group 1 at border molding and after denture base processing. Within Group 1, the retention value significantly increased (P < 0.001) from border molding to the denture base stage, whereas within Group 2, there was no significant change (P > 0.001) between the stages. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the study, the novel functional swallow method of establishing the PPS demonstrated higher retention than the conventional method both during border molding and after processing the denture base.

A Novel Functional Swallow Method to Establish the Posterior Palatal Seal during the Maxillary Edentulous Final Impression: A Case Report.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To propose an alternate, r eliable, and easy-to-use functional swallow method for establishing the posterior palatal seal. BACKGROUND: Accurate r egistration of the posterior palatal seal is crucial to the success of the maxillary complete denture. The conventionally used functional "Ah" technique may not be r eliable at times to record the posterior palatal seal, hence compromising the retention of the maxillary complete denture. Case description and technique: A 70-year-old female patient requiring complete dentures presented with an unusually tense soft palate during the phase of posterior palatal seal development. The soft palate did not relax and remained in a superior position when the "Ah" functional method was used to record the seal. The posterior palatal seal area could not be compressed sufficiently during border molding, preventing the formation of an adequate seal. Hence, a new functional technique was devised to relax and displace the soft palate for developing an effective seal. This case report describes a novel and reliable method of displacing the posterior palatal seal area with a low-fusing compound by utilizing the patient's functional swallow position. CONCLUSION: The functional swallow method can be used effectively as an alternative and reliable method to obtain a consistent posterior palatal seal. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The functional swallow method of developing the posterior palatal seal is simple, less demanding on the clinician, and can save chairside time. It also helps in an easy transfer of the demarcated posterior palatal seal area to the custom tray. The method lets the dentist be in charge of developing the seal rather than relying on the arbitrary cast scrapping by the technician. Also, the seal can be achieved by employing commonly used materials.