Frequently Asked Questions

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Some Commonly Used Terms Explained

RETENTION

Retention is the resistance of the denture to removal from the mouth.
Retention depends chiefly upon three factors:

1. Extent of the denture base.
2. Closeness of adaption to the oral mucosia.
3. Peripheral seal.

STABILITY

Stability is the quality of a denture to be firm, steady, constant and not subject to change of position when forces are applied. The quality of a denture to resist displacement by  functional  stresses.

HYPER PLASTIC TISSUE

Excessive  movable tissue about the maxillae or mandible from increases in the number of normal cell.

HYPER PLASIA

The abnormal multiplication or increase in the number of normal cells resulting in the thickening or enlargement of the tissue.

MUCOSA  (MUCOUS MEMBRANE)

A membrane composed of epithelium and lamina propria that lines the oral cavity and other canals and cavities of the body that communicate with external air.

ATROPHY

A  progressive, acquired decrease in the size of a normally developed cell, tissue or organ.  Atrophy may result from a decrease in cell size, number of cells or both.

MECHANO RECEPTOR

Any sensory nerve ending that responds to mechanical stimuli, such as touch, pressure, sound and muscular contraction.

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