GENERAL IDEAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MAXILLARY AND MANDIBULAR MAJOR CONNECTORS

1. Rigidity:It should be rigid enough to uniformly distribute the occlusal forces acting on any portion of the prosthesis without undergoing distortion. 2. It should provide cross-arch stability. 3. It should provide vertical support and protect soft tissues. 4. It should provide indirect retention whenever required. 5. It should be comfortable to the patient. 6. It should not allow any food accumulation. 7. It should be self-cleansing.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR ALL MAJOR CONNECTORS

1. Intentional relief: its border should be 6mm away from gingival margins in the maxillary arch to avoid any injury to marginal gingiva. 2. In the mandible the border is placed 3mm away from the marginal gingiva,if not possible it is extended across the marginal gingiva as a lingual plate.

3. The borders of the major connector should be parallel to the gingival margins. 4. The metal framework should cross the gingival margin only at right angles. 5. The part of the framework adjoining the tooth surface should be hidden in the embrasures to avoid discomfort. 6. The borders should be rounded to avoid interference to the tongue. 7. It should be symmetrical and should cross the palate in a straight line. 8. The anterior border of the maxillary major connector should end in the valley of the rugae and should never lie on the crest of the rugae. 9. The major connector should not extend over the bony prominences like tori.

Additional requirements for maxillary major connectors : 1. A beading should be provided at the borders to obtain better adaptation and prevent entry of food particles,it is created by making a 0.5-1mm groove on the master cast,the beading should thin out as it approaches the gingival margins. 2. Relief is given in cases of palatal tori or a prominent mid palatine suture.

LINGUAL BAR:

It is the most commonly used mandibular major connector. It is half pear-shaped in cross section with the thickest portion placed inferiorly. There must be a minimum 8mm vertical clearance from the floor of mouth,the upper border should have a 3mm clearance from the marginal gingiva. Minimum height of the major connector should be atleast 5mm. Should be placed as inferior as possible so that movement of the tongue is not restricted. Advantages: 1. It is easy to fabricate. 2. it has mild contact with oral tissues and no contact with teeth 3. The simplest mandibular major connector with highest patient acceptance. 4. It does not cover the teeth or the gingival tissues disadvantages: 1. If it is not properly designed it may not be rigid. 2. contraindicated in cases of tori. 3. in cases with limited vestibular depth,the bar will be thinned out and tends to flex.

SUBLINGUAL BAR :

It is a modification of the lingual bar. The cross section is similar to the lingual bar except that it is placed more inferiorly and posteriorly than the lingual bar i.e. overlying the anterior part of the floor of the mouth. Indication : - it can be used alongwith a lingual plate if the lingual frenum does not produce ant interference. - it is used in the presence of anterior lingual undercut. - if the sulcus depth is too little and a lingual bar cant be placed with atleast 4mm clearance from the free gingival margin. Contraindications : 1. lingual tori 2. high frenal attachment. 3. excessive elevation of the floor of the mouth during functional movements. ADVANTAGES: 1.It does not covers the teeth or tissues. 2.More rigid than a lingual bar in the horizontal plane. Disadvantages: 1. A functional impression of the vestibule is required to accurately register the position and contour of the vestibule.

Cingulum Bar (continuous bar)

When a linguoplate is the major connector of choice, but the axial alignment of the anterior teeth is such that excessive blockout of interproximal undercuts must be made, a cingulum bar may be considered. When wide diastemata exist between the lower anterior teeth, a continuous bar retainer may be more esthetically acceptable than a linguoplate. It is also known as the continuous bar retainer It is located on or slightly above the cingula of the anterior teeth. It may be used alone or with a lingual bar.

CHARACTERISTICS AND LOCATION Thin, narrow (3 mm) metal strap located on cingula of anterior teeth, scalloped to follow interproximal embrasures with inferior and superior borders tapered to tooth surfaces. Originates bilaterally from incisal, lingual, or occlusal rests of adjacent principal abutments.

Indications : 1. In cases with large interproximal embrasures requiring indirect retention. 2. in cases with large diastema to avoid unaesthetic display of metal. 3. When lingual inclinations of remaining mandibular premolar and incisor teeth cannot be corrected, preventing the placement of a conventional lingual bar connector. 4. When severe lingual tori cannot be removed and prevent the use of a lingual bar or lingual plate major connector. 5. When severe and abrupt lingual tissue undercuts make it impractical to use a lingual bar or lingual plate major connector.

LINGUOPLATE:

Indications: 1. When the functional depth of the lingual vestibule (less than 5mm) is not enough for bar placement. 2. When future loss of natural teeth is anticipated to facilitate addition of artificial teeth to the partial denture.

3. When splinting of anterior teeth is required. 4. When lingual tori is present. 5. In those instances in which the residual ridges in Class I arch have undergone such vertical resorption that they will offer only minimal resistance to horizontal rotations of the denture through its bases 6. For using periodontally weakened teeth in group function to furnish support to the prosthesis and to help resist horizontal (offvertical) rotation of the distal extension type of denture. DESIGN: 1. It is similar to the lingual bar but the superior border extends up to the cingulum of the lingual surface of the teeth. 2. Superior border is scalloped and has an intimate contact with the teeth,this produces a knife edged margin. 3. In cases with large embrasures and spacing, the superior border is made to dip down so that it is not visible externally. 4. In extension base partial denture the lingual plates should have a rest on each side to prevent labial movement of the teeth. 5. There should be adequate blockout and relief of the soft tissue undercuts, undercuts in the proximal areas of the teeth, the free gingival margins and pear shaped bar. ADVANTAGES: 1.The most rigid mandibular major connector.

2.It gives indirect retention to the partial denture. 3.Deflect food from impacting on lingual tissues. 4.Provide resistance against horizontal or lateral forces. 5.Permits the replacement of lost teeth without remaking the partial denture. 6.Help in splinting and prevent upper-eruption of the anterior teeth. Disadvantages: 1. Covers more teeth and gingival tissues than other mandibular major connectors. 2. decalcification of tooth structure d/t food and plaque accumulation. 3. irritation of oral mucosa.

MANDIBULAR LABIAL BAR:

INDICATIONS FOR USE: 1. When lingual inclinations of remaining mandibular premolar and incisor teeth cannot be corrected, preventing the placement of a conventional lingual bar connector. 2. When severe lingual tori cannot be removed and prevent the use of a lingual bar or lingual plate major connector. 3. When severe and abrupt lingual tissue undercuts make it impractical to use a lingual bar or lingual plate major connector.

CHARACTERISTICS AND LOCATION: Half-pear shaped with bulkiest portion inferiorly located on the labial and buccal aspects of the mandible. Superior border tapered to soft tissue. Labial vestibule should be adequate to allow the superior border to be placed at least 4 mm below the free gingival margins. Inferior border located in the labial-buccal vestibule at the juncture of attached (immobile) and unattached (mobile) mucosa ADVANTAGES: It solves the problem of severely inclined teeth and avoids surgical intervention to remove large torus. Disadvantages: 1. It tends to lack rigidity since it is considerably longer than a lingual bar. 2. The least comfortable mandibular major connector. 3. Poor aesthetics. 4. Tends to distort lower lip. 5. Patient discomfort.