Major Connectors

Removable Partial Definition : Unit of a Partial Denture that

connects components on one side of the
Denture Design 2 arch with those on the opposite side.
It is that part of the denture to which all other
components are attached

Principles of design of Major

Mandibular Connectors
Connectors
Rigidity Lingual bar
conventional and sublingual types
Must not impinge on moving tissue
Kennedy connector
Should avoid pressure on gingivae
Adequate relief when indicated Dental bar (aka Dental Connector)
e.g. bony prominences such as palatal or
mandibular tori Lingual plate
Supported by rests on the teeth
Borders sited and contoured for tolerance Buccal bar

What type of Lower Connector ? Lingual Bar

Isthere enough space for a lingual bar ?

Has the patient had a denture previously ?
What sort of connector ? Tolerated ?
Is there any spacing between the anterior
teeth ?
Lingually inclined teeth or mandibular tori ?
Provision for future tooth loss needed ?

T Friel 1
 Relief for a
Lingual Bar

Lower limit for a

lingual bar

How much space for a lingual bar ?

At least 3mm clear of gingival margins
Clear of moving tissue of floor of mouth
Adequate dimensions to give rigidity

Atleast 7mm between gingival margin and

floor of mouth

Insufficient space for a

lingual bar

Lingual Plate Dental Bar

- needs to be 4mm in depth and 2mm in thickness to give rigidity

Crown
height of
8mm

Split in plate to accommodate space

T Friel 2
 Buccal (or labial) bar Maxillary Connectors
Palatal bars
Anterior, Middle & Posterior
Usually used as a combination of Anterior and
Posterior to make a ring
Palatal strap
Palatal plate
Palatal horseshoe

What type of connector ? Palatal Bar

How extensive are the saddle areas ?
Any free-end saddles ? Use a plate
Consider anterior and posterior palatal
bars first
Previous denture wearing experience
How well has palatal coverage been tolerated
?
Provision for further tooth loss ?

Anterior and Posterior Palatal

Palatal Strap
Bars

T Friel 3
 Palatal Plate Palatal Horseshoe

Minor Connectors Hygienic Design

Join the major
connector to other
denture components Ourobjective should be the perpetual
Need to ensure preservation of what remains rather than
adequate occlusal the meticulous replacement of what is
space missing M.M.De Van
Need to emerge at
90 to gingival margin
Avoid sharp internal A removable denture is a slow, expensive,
line angles painless way of extracting teeth!

Hygienic Design Hygienic Design

Dentures do not cause plaque to form No plaque = No problem

They promote an increase in the amount Butmost patients do not exhibit perfect
of plaque where the gingival margins are plaque control
covered Design should be as hygienic as possible
Maintenance is important
They can alter the quality of the plaque

T Friel 4
 Hygienic Design Minimising Damage
Provide 3mm relief at
Gingival margins gingival margins OR
must be left free none at all
wherever possible Gingival hypertrophy
into small areas of
relief will make plaque
control more difficult
If relief is provided it
should ideally be at
least 3mm from
gingival margin

Saddle Areas

A systematic approach Outline the saddle areas

to RPD design this will not necessarily include every
edentulous area in the arch
no functional need
space too small
would be detrimental

Support Retention
Select abutment teeth and sites for rests Select teeth for clasping and types of
choose teeth with with large root surface clasp to be used
areas and good periodontal support Suitable undercuts ?
examine articulated casts and mark sites for Ensure that clasps are associated with rests
rest seat preparation and provide reciprocation
will any opposing teeth require occlusal Do any buccal / lingual surfaces need
reduction ? recontouring ?
Examine occlusion - adequate space ?
Appearance ?

T Friel 5
 Strength and Rigidity Stability

Select type of major connector Is there adequate support and bracing

from - saddles, rests, clasp units and
Unite other components to major connector major connectors ?
with minor connectors

Review Provisional Design OR

Can it be simplified ? S addle
Will appearance be acceptable ? S upport
How does design compare with previous R etention
denture ? S trength (connector)
Have poorly tolerated features been S tability
changed?
R eview

T Friel 6