COMPONENTS OF RPD A.

MAJOR CONNECTORS -Is components of PD which connect all parts of the prosthesis directly or indirectly -it provides the cross arch stability to help resist displacement by functional stresses

Functions of a Major Connector 1. Unification A major connector units all other components of a partial denture so that the partial denture acts as one unit. 2. Stress Distribution By unifying all elements of a partial denture the major connector can distribute functional loads to all abutment teeth, so that no one abutment is subjected to extreme loading. Unification of the direct retainers with the denture bases aids in distributing forces between both the teeth and the mucosa. This is particularly important in Class I and II partial dentures. In some maxillary cases a major connector with broad palatal contact is selected. In these situations the broad base offers additional support, distributing stress over a larger area. 3. Cross-Arch Stabilization (Counterleverage) By uniting one side of the arch to the other bracing elements on one side of the arch can aid in providing stability to the other. This can aid in dissipating twisting and torquing forces. MANDIBULAR MAJOR CONNECTORS LINGUAL BAR

LINGUAL PLATE CONTINUOUS BAR RETAINER(KENNEDY BAR) LABIAL BAR

MAXILLARY MAJOR CONNECTORS Anterior-Posterior Palatal Strap Full Palatal Plate Palatal Strap (or Bar) Anterior Palatal Plate (U-Shaped Or "Horse-Shoe" Palatal Connector)

[Link] CONNECTORS -the connect link between the major connector or base of a RPD and other units of prosthesis such as clasps, indirect retainers and occlusal rests Functions 1. Provide unification and rigidity 2. Provide stress distribution by transferring stresses from the major connector to other parts of the partial denture and from the partial denture to the abutment teeth 3. Act as bracing elements through contact with guiding planes opposing the retentive arms. 4. Maintain a path of insertion via contact with guiding planes Basic Types of Minor Connectors: a. Minor connectors placed into embrasures between two adjacent teeth. b. Gridwork minor connectors that connect the denture base and teeth to the major connector Mesh gridwork Lattice gridwork [Link] RETAINERS -a clasp, attachment, or assembly fastened to an abutment tooth for the purpose of
maintaining a removable restoration in its planned position in relation to oral structures. I. Retention Retention is the ability of a removable partial denture to resist dislodging forces during function. Retention depends upon several factors: a. adhesion, cohesion, interfacial surface tension and atmospheric pressure b. gravity

c. frictional retention (guiding planes, bracing elements) e. indirect retention f. direction of dislodging force relative to the path of placement. g. mechanical retention II. Extra-Coronal Direct Retainers Requirements of Direct Retainers ll clasp assemblies should meet the following requirements: 1. Support - resistance to gingival displacement (occlusal rests) 2. Reciprocity - resistance to orthodontic movement of teeth using reciprocal arms or elements placed against guiding planes. During placement and removal of the partial denture the retentive arm flexes over the height of contour and generates energy. At this point the rigid reciprocal arm should contact the guiding plane and prevent orthodontic movement from taking place. 3. Stability - resistance to lateral movement (reciprocal arms, minor connectors) 4. Retention - retentive arms located in undercuts on the abutments 5. Encirclement of greater than 180 of the tooth prevents the prosthesis from moving away from the tooth 6. Passivity - at rest, a direct retainer should not exert force against a tooth Direct Retainers For Tooth-Borne RPDs 1. Circumferential (Circle or Akers) clasp Advantages: a. Excellent bracing qualities b. Easy to design and construct c. Less potential for food accumulation below the clasp compared to bar clasps Disadvantages: a. More tooth coverage than bar clasps b. More metal is displayed than with bar or combination clasps c. Adjustments are difficult or impossible due to the half round nature of the clasp

2. Ring clasp Advantages: a. Excellent bracing (with supporting strut) b. Allows use of an available undercut adjacent to edentulous area Disadvantages: a. Covers a large area of tooth surface, therefore requiring meticulous hygiene b. Very difficult to adjust due to the extreme rigidity of the reciprocal arms c. The lower bracing arm should be at least 1 mm from the free gingival margin and relieved to prevent impingement of the gingival tissues. 3. Embrasure (Double Akers) Clasp Advantages: a. Allows placement of direct retainer where none could otherwise be placed (especially contralateral to the edentulous span on a Class II case) Disadvantages: a. Extensive interproximal reduction is usually required b. Covers large area of tooth surface - hygiene considerations

[Link] RETAINERS -that part of a removable partial denture that resists movement of a free-end denture
base away from its tissue support by means of lever action on the opposite side of the fulcrum line. The indirect retainer may take any one of several forms. All are effective proportional to their support and the distance from the fulcrum line that they are placed. 1. Auxiliary cingulum rests. The cuspid is the most easily utilized anterior tooth for preparation of a rest seat since the cingulum is usually more prominent than the lateral or central incisors. 2. Auxiliary occlusal rest. Usually placed on the mesial occlusal of a first bicuspid tooth when their is inadequate cingulum tooth structure on the canines or there is poor access to the lingual surfaces of the anterior teeth. 3. Continuous bar retainers and lingual plates. Technically, continuous bar retainers and lingual plates are not indirect retainers since they rest on unprepared lingual inclines of anterior teeth. The indirect retainers are actually the terminal rests at either end in the form of auxiliary occlusal rests or canine rests.

[Link] BASE - The unit of a partial denture that covers the residual ridges and supports the denture teeth. Functions 1. Support and retention of the denture teeth 2. Transmission of stresses to oral tissues - maximal coverage within anatomic limitations, accurate reproduction of supporting tissues 3. Improve esthetics Materials 1. Acrylic Resin Bases 2. Metal Bases