Criteria for Grading Complete Dentures

The posterior palatal seal and the wax trial dentures for complete dentures must be evaluated through  a faculty prior to bringing the patient to the clinic for visit 4. 

These are the grading criteria for the posterior palatal seal and the wax trial dentures.

Grading Criteria for Posterior Palatal Seal on Master Cast

Grade A - Outline of posterior palatal seal neatly carved to correct position and size.  Extends about 3 mm lateral to pterygomaxillary notches.  Narrows in midline area.  On average 2-3 mm in width in midline, 2 mm in width at pterygomaxillary notches and 4-6 mm wide in between.  Depth of seal is in the range of 1.0-1.5 mm deep except in the pterygomaxillary notch area where depth is slightly less.

Grade B - Minor discrepancies from above which do not compromise the quality of the clinical treatment.  Outline of posterior palatal seal neatly carved, and correctly positioned.  Size and/or shape slightly out of norm.  Slightly rough or irregular. 

Grade C - Posterior palatal seal carved in master cast is adequate to make a clinically acceptable complete denture, but marginally so.  Indelible marker ink spread out making markings somewhat indistinct.  Standard shape of "ideal" posterior palatal seal present.  Depth deviates significantly from above.

Grade E - Posterior palatal seal prevents clinically accepatble complete denture treatment.  Posterior palatal seal absent or is grossly indistinct, ill-shaped or sized.  Excessive or inadequate depth into master cast.  Does not extend into buccal vestibule.  Located much too far posteriorly or anteriorly relative to the structures used for reference.

Grading Criteria for Tooth Arrangement

Grade A - Teeth are arranged with proper inclinations.  Mandibular 1st and 2nd molars directly over ridge.  Minimum of 1.5 mm horizontal overlap of maxillary and mandibular molars.  Buccal surfaces of premolars are on a line as drawn between buccal surface of 1st molar and cuspid.  Posterior teeth in occlusal contact.  Zero degree teeth set to exactly a flat plane.  Anatomic teeth set to a compensating curve in harmony with condylar and anterior guidance.  Waxed areas are neat, clean, smooth, and properly festooned to simulate the natural healthy dentition.  Occlusal surfaces of teeth or under record base.  Articulator and casts clean. 

Grade B - Minor discrepancies from above which do not compromise the quality of the clinical treatment.  Teeth arranged correctly, but some minor contact discrepancies.  Waxed areas correctly contoured, but some excess wax on teeth.  No wax on occlusal surfaces.


Grade C- Tooth arrangement requires further alterations to be clinically acceptable.  Buccal surfaces of premolars off line, as drawn between 1st molar and cuspid, by 2 mm.  Inclinations of anterior teeth are unnatural.  Occlusal plane obviously too high or low.  Wax between contact areas of anterior teeth.  Moisture incorporated into wax.  Evidence of wax on occlusal surfaces.  Teeth loose in wax.  No horizontal overlap between posterior teeth.  Occlusal plane noticeably angled laterally or anterior-posteriorly.

Grade E- Tooth arrangement prevents clinically acceptable complete denture treatment.  Tooth position forces upper member of articulator out of its terminal hinge position (ball element not against vertical wall of articulator).  Wax is dirty.  Teeth reversed.  Cast damaged.  Bases unstable.  Mandibular molars not centered over mandibular ridge.  Teeth grossly out of normal position.