Vestibular and lingual muscular pressure on complete maxillary dentures.

Denture retention may be defined as the ability of a denture to remain seated on the supporting tissues under various conditions. Soft tissue function influences the retention of removable prostheses by exerting pressure against the polished surfaces. The magnitude of this pressure on complete maxillary dentures under experimental conditions was studied. Five denture wearers participated. Miniature pressure transducers were placed at nine selected locations on the polished surfaces of the dentures: one on each tuberosity, three along the vibration line, and four on the vestibular flanges. The transducers were flush with the polished surfaces but discernible to the participants. Ultra-thin electrical wires connected the transducers to a power supply and recording equipment. Loading the incisors with 40 N in a cranial direction elicited soft-tissue pressure against the transducers. The highest values were recorded in the region of the tuberosities (51 kPa). Intermediary values were recorded along the vibration line (27 kPa), and the lowest pressure was recorded on the vestibular flanges (17 kPa).