a functional impression technique for capturing the superior position of the soft palate

The posterior border and the posterior palatal seal area  are the two most important areas for maxillary denture retention .The determination of these areas is a crtitical  step for impression making .The soft palate can move in a superior position ,which may result in  air leakage in the posterior  area of complete denture and there is loss of retention in the resultant  complete denture therapy .Hence   it is important to make an accurate impression of this area.This article describes a technique to record the posterior palatal seal area.In the conventional technique the patient is asked to say "ah".When the patient make a ah sound the soft palate   is in its superior most position .The area is recorded by placing a thermoplastic modelling compound .But when the tray is removed the compound may not be set.Hence the impression may get distorted.In this technique the writer describes a technique which is relatively simple and less time consuming .After a preliminiary impression is made .A tray is fabricated.Patient is prepared for border molding procedure.Border molding is done with a heavy body impression material. Pour clear light autopolymerizing acrylic resin along  the posterior border.Place  the tray in the mouth ask the patient to say "ah".Cure it with a handheld polymerizing light of wavelength 470nm. Polymerize for 20 seconds.Verify  the effectiveness of the seal. Check  the tray for voids .Because the short setting time of the material and as the material sets in the mouth itself  the chances of distortion is less.Hence  this is a very effective technique to achieve the posterior palatal seal area .