title: Assessment and Evaluation of Anatomic Variations of Retromolar Pad: A Cross Sectional Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The retromolar pad also called piriformis papilla is a mucosal elevation located in the retromolar area covering the retromolar triangle. After molar loss, the bony alveolar process and surrounding soft periodontal tissue remodel, mainly resorb and blend with retromolar pad. It is a key intraoral landmark in prosthodontics.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this in-vitro study was to analyze the various anatomical shapes and sizes of retromolar pad in 150 completely edentulous patients between 55 to 70 years of age group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted on 150 completely edentulous patients. The shapes of retromolar pad on the left and right side were seen and divided into pear, triangular and round shape. The comparison of the mean longitudinal diameter and transverse diameter on the right and left sides was done. The data was evaluated statistically. The chi-square test was used for the comparison between the proportions with the help of standard deviation, t-test was used for comparison between the left and the right side and ANOVA test was used for comparison between the various shapes of the retromolar pads.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The result showed that there was statistically significant difference among different shapes of retromolar pad and there was significant difference in mean transverse and longitudinal diameter on right and left side, the mean value of the longitudinal diameter on left and right side was 8.81 and 8.69 whereas the mean value of the transverse diameter on left and right side was 6.79 and 6.82 respectively and p-value obtained for both was 0.550 and 0.814 respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study conclude that there are three different shapes of retromolar pad among which pear and triangular shaped retomolar pad provides more stability in lower denture because of increase surface area.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Prosthodontics, Kalka Dental College , Meerut, UP, India .
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Prosthodontics, Kalka Dental College , Meerut, UP, India .
authors.forename: Anchal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deep
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Prosthodontics, Kalka Dental College , Meerut, UP, India .
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siwach
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Prosthodontics, Institute of Dental Education and Advance Studies , Gwalior, MP, India .
authors.forename: Manas
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Dean, Professor and Head, Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dental Science, SGT University , Gurgaon, Haryana, India .
authors.forename: Akshay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhargava
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Dentistry, Kalka Dental College , Meerut, UP, India .
authors.forename: Reenu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Siwach
keywords: Border seal; Dimension; Shape; Stability