Connectors

Presented by:
Under Supervision of: • Haitham Walaa
• Prof. Amir Azir • Romysaa Muhammad
• Mohamed lotfy
• Omar Mustafa
 Outline
• Definitions.

• Designing of connectors.

• Types of Connectors:
- Rigid Connectors.
- Non-rigid Connectors.
 Connector
In fixed prosthodontics, the portion
of a fixed partial denture that unites
the retainer(s) and pontic(s).

Keith J. Ferro, Editor. Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms. J Prosthet Dent. 9th ed. 2017
 Retainer
The part of a fixed or removable partial denture uniting
the abutment to the other elements of a prosthesis that
surrounds all or part of the prepared crown.

Keith J. Ferro, Editor. Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms. J Prosthet Dent. 9th ed. 2017
 Pontic
An artificial tooth on a fixed partial denture that replaces
a missing natural tooth, restores its function, and usually
restores the space previously occupied by the clinical
crown.

Keith J. Ferro, Editor. Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms. J Prosthet Dent. 9th ed. 2017
 Designing of connectors
The size, shape, and position of connectors all influence the success of the
prosthesis.

1. Connector Size:

• Connectors must be sufficiently large to prevent distortion or fracture during

function.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Designing of connectors
1. Connector Size:
 Designing of connectors
1. Connector Size:

• but not too large; otherwise, they interfere with effective plaque control
(hygiene is impeded) and contribute to periodontal breakdown over time.

• Adequate access (embrasure space) must be available for oral hygiene aids
cervical to the connector.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Designing of connectors
2. Connector Shape:

• The tissue surface of connectors is curved faciolingually to facilitate

cleansing (the convexity of the gingival surface).

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Designing of connectors
2. Connector Shape:

• Mesiodistally, it is shaped to create a smooth transition from one

partial FDP component to the next and has a configuration similar
to a meniscus formed between the two parts of the prosthesis.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Designing of connectors
2. Connector Shape:

• In a buccolingual cross section, most connectors are somewhat elliptical.

• Elliptical connectors are strongest, if the major axis of the ellipse parallels
the direction of the applied force.
F

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Designing of connectors
2. Connector Shape:

• Unfortunately, because of anatomic considerations, this cannot always be

achieved.
• The greatest dimension of most connectors is perpendicular to the
direction of applied force, which tends to weaken the connectors.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Designing of connectors
3. Connector Location:

• To prevent excessive display of metal, anterior connectors should be placed

toward the lingual embrasure.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
Designing of connectors
 Designing of connectors

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
Conclusion:
 Types of Connectors

Rigid Connector: Non-Rigid Connector:

• Cast Connector. • Dovetail (key – keyways).

• Soldered Connector. • Splitpontic (connectors inside pontic).

• Welded Connector. • Cross pin and wing.

• Loop connector.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Rigid Connector
Indications:
• They are used to unite retainers and pontic in a fixed partial denture.

• These connectors are used when the entire load on the pontic is to be
transferred directly to the abutments.

Contraindications:
• In cases where the existing diastema is to be maintained

• In case of tilted abutments.

• In long-span bridges.
 Types of Connectors
Rigid Connector
Cast Connector:

• Cast connector are shaped in wax as part of a multi

unit wax pattern.

• Connectors are waxed on the master cast before

investing the wax pattern.

• Advantages: Cast connectors are convenient and

minimize the number of steps involved in the
laboratory fabrication.
Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Cast Connector:

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Rigid Connector
Cast Connector:
Disadvantages:

• The fit of the individual retainers may be adversely affected

because distortion more easily results when a multi unit
wax pattern is removed from the die system.

• Access to the proximal margin is impeded during the

process of Investing.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Rigid Connector
Soldered Connector:

• Soldered connectors involve the use of an intermediate metal alloy

whose melting temperature is lower than that of the parent metal.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Soldered Connector: Rigid Connector

Indications:
1. Uniting of FPD Components:

• Predesigning to Solder: As full-arch Bridge is divided in several short-span

Bridges to prevent it’s distortion and errors of casting to effect the fit of
restoration intra-orally.

• Already Casted FPD which doesn’t fit inside patient’s mouth.

• Repair a Fractured connector.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Rigid Connector
Soldered Connector:

Indications:

2. Correction of an open Contact in All metal restorations.

3. Correction of any Defects of casting (as perforations) in all metal

restorations( Inlays, Onlays, Crwons and FPDs).

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Rigid Connector
Soldered Connector:

• The design of rigid connector is incorporated into the

wax pattern.

• Connectors that are to be soldered are sectioned in

the wax pattern with a ribbon saw so that they can
be joined on a flat ,parallel and at a controlled
distance apart.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Rigid Connector
Soldered Connector:
Soldering Gap Width:

• As gap width increases, soldering accuracy decreases.

• Extremely small gap widths can prevent proper solder flow and
cause the joint to be incomplete or weak.

• An even soldering gap of about 0.25 mm is recommended.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
Soldered Connector:

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Welded Connector: Rigid Connector

• The connection is created by melting adjacent surfaces that are often

in contact with each other, with heat or pressure.

• A filler metal whose melting temperature is about the same as that of

the parent metal can be used during welding.

• Types of welding:
- Thermal
- Electric
- Cold
Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Non-Rigid Connector
According to GPT-9 is defined as: Any connector that permits limited
movement between otherwise independent members of a fixed partial
denture.
Indications:
• To relieve stress.
• The existence of Pier abutment.
• Connection between FPD and RPD.
• Connection between natural tooth and Implant abutment.
• To accommodate mal-aligned fixed partial denture abutments.
• In situations where questionable distal abutment.
Keith J. Ferro, Editor. Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms. J Prosthet Dent. 9th ed. 2017
Stress analysis of effects of nonrigid connectors on fixed partial dentures with pier abutments .JPD. 2008.
 Types of Connectors
Non-Rigid Connector
Dovetail Connector:

• It consists of a mortise (female) prepared within the

contour of the retainer and the tenon (male)
attached to the pontic.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Non-Rigid Connector
Dovetail Connector:
Advantages:
• No need for parallel walls ( conservation of tooth structure)
• Allow minor movement of abutment.
• Provide stress breaking action between 2 parts.
• The two parts are cemented separately.

Disadvantages
• More laboratory work is needed and Higher cost.
• Difficulty in temporization.
• Requires maintenance from the patient.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Non-Rigid Connector
Dovetail Connector:

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Non-Rigid Connector
Split-pontic Connector:
This is an attachment that is placed entirely within the pontic

INDICATIONS:
• It is particularly useful in tilted abutment cases,
where the conventional dovetail would necessitate the
drastic preparation in the distal aspect of the pier
abutment.
• Used in pier abutments.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Non-Rigid Connector
Split-pontic Connector:
ADVANTAGES: DISADVANTAGES:
1) When a problem occurs only the affected 1)More time consuming.
segment can be removed and repaired or 2)Cost factor.
remade. No need to remove the whole assembly.
2) Stresses that are to be applied are evenly
distributed.
3) Allows some degree of movement in function
and hence protects the abutment overloading.
4) Act as a splint.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Non-Rigid Connector
CROSS – PIN AND WING
The cross pin and wing are the working elements of a two piece
pontic system that allows the two segments to be rigidly fixed after
the retainers have been cemented on their respective abutment
preparations

INDICATIONS:
• Used in case of tilted molars.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Non-Rigid Connector
CROSS – PIN AND WING
Advantages:
• 1) No need to remove the whole assembly if required.
• 2) Stress distribution.
• 3) Reduces the amt of force on abutments.
Disadvantages:
• 1) Time factor.
• 2) Additional laboratory steps required for pin fabrication.
• 3) Technique sensitive.
 Types of Connectors
Non-Rigid Connector
LOOP CONNECTOR
The connector consists of a loop on the lingual
aspect of the prosthesis that connects adjacent
retainers and/or pontic.

Note:
• If it connects to adjacent retainer and used to maintain space between 2 abutments, it’s
considered as Cast Rigid Connector.

• If it connects to adjacent pontic only (cantilever), it’s considered as Non-rigid connector.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 Types of Connectors
Non-Rigid Connector
LOOP CONNECTOR
Indications:
• Existing diastema

Disadvantage:
• Plaque control is a problem, so meticulous care in
designing should be there.

Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015
 References
• Keith J. Ferro, Editor. Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms. J Prosthet Dent. 9th ed. 2017.

• Stephen F. Rosenstiel, Martin F. Land, Robert Walter. Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics. 5th ed. 2015

• Won-Suck Oh , Kenneth J Anusavice. Effect of connector design on the fracture resistance of all-ceramic fixed
partial dentures. J Prosthet Dent. 2002.

• Kozue Onodera, Toru Sato. Effect of Connector Design on Fracture Resistance of Zirconia All-ceramic Fixed
Partial Dentures. Tokyo Dental College. 2011.

• Ali Hafezeqoran, Roodabeh Koodaryan. Effect of connector size and design on the fracture resistance of
monolithic zirconia fixed dental prosthesis. J Dent Res Dent Clin Dent Prospects. 2020.