DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS IN RPD FOR CONTROL OF STRESS

INTRODUCTION :

 Designing of RPD is based on both biological and mechanical considerations.

Biological

Whether tooth used for support can bear The type of underlying mucosa

Loads falling on it

 There is no mechanism to counter all forces that may be applied to a removable partial denture.
 Nevertheless, a design philosophy that strives to control these forces within the physiologic
tolerances of the teeth and supporting structures can be successful.

Direct retention :

 The retentive clasp arm is the element of a removable partial denture that is responsible for
transmitting most of the destructive forces to the abutments.
 So removable partial denture should be designed to keep clasp retention at a minimum, and yet
provide adequate retention to prevent dislodgment of the denture by unseating forces.

Potential sources of additional retention :

 Forces of adhesion and cohesion contribute to retention

 To maximize its effect, each denture base must cover the maximum area of available support,
and it must be accurately adapted to the underlying mucosa.
 Frictional control :

 A removable partial denture should be designed so that guiding planes are present on as many
teeth as possible.
 The frictional contact of the prosthesis against these parallel surfaces can contribute
significantly to the retention of the removable partial denture.

Neuromuscular control :

 The innate ability of the patient to control the actions of the lips, cheeks, and tongue can be a
major factor in the retention of a removable prosthesis.
 Any overextension of the denture base can contribute to displacement of the prosthesis.
 As a result, clasping mechanisms will no longer be passive and will apply undesirable forces to
the abutments.
 These forces may produce noticeable tooth movement and/or discomfort.
 Properly contoured denture bases prevent such difficulties and can enhance retention and
stability of a removable partial denture.

Clasp position :

Quadrilateral configuration :

 Indicated for Class III arches, particularly when there is a modification space on the opposite side
of the arch
 Retentive clasp assembly should be positioned anterior and posterior to each edentulous space.
This creates a stable mechanical situation in which leverage is effectively neutralized.
 Tripodal configuration

 Used primarily for Class II arches.

 One clasp assembly should be placed adjacent to the defining distal extension space
 If there is a modification space on the contralateral side of the arch, the teeth anterior and
posterior to the space should be clasped.
 If a modification space is not present, one clasp should be positioned as far posteriorly as
possible, and the other as far anteriorly
 This establishes improved mechanical stability

Bilateral configuration

 Used for Class I arches

 The most posterior tooth on each side of the arch should be clasped
 Indirect retainers used to control other eans of stresses
Clasp design:

Cast circumferential clasp

 The conventional cast circumferential clasp that engages a mesiofacial retentive undercut
should not be used on a distal extension removable partial denture.
 The terminal third of this clasp reacts to movement of the denture base toward the tissue by
placing a non-axial, tipping force on the associated abutment which is destructive.
 The reverse circlet clasp which engages a distofacial retentive undercut, may be used for distal
extension applications.

Occlusal load is applied to the denture base

The retentive terminal moves into a greater vertical undercut, but engages the abutment’s mesiodistal
height of contour.

Mesially directed force is imparted to the abutment which is well tolerated with sound proximal contact
with the adjacent natural tooth
 Vertical projection clasp

 A vertical projection T- or modified T-clasp may be used on an abutment adjacent to a distal

extension edentulous space.
 Indicated when retentive undercut is located on the distofacial surface of the abutment. It is
not indicated when the tooth has only a mesiofacial undercut.
 A distal rotational axis passing through the disto-occlusal rest prevents release of the clasp
assembly during occlusal loading.
 In contrast, a mesial rotational axis passing through the mesio-occlusal rest allows the clasp
arm to disengage from the tooth surface by moving mesially and apically
It also alters the length of the lever arm (ie, the distance from the rest to the denture
base).

 This yields an increasingly vertical movement of the denture base and results in force
application that is better tolerated by the edentulous ridge.
 Combination clasp

 Used in a distal extension residual ridge with a mesiofacial undercut to reduce the stresses
transmitted to the abutment.
 The circular cross section of a wrought-wire clasp allows it to flex in any spatial plane,
whereas a conventional circumferential clasp flexes primarily in one plane.
 Because of its omnidirectional flexure, a wrought-wire retentive arm can distribute stresses
in multiple planes.

Splinting of abutment teeth :

 A tooth with decreased periodontal support can sometimes be strengthened through the use of
fixed splinting
 Indications :
Loss of periodontal attachment
Proposed abutment tooth has either a tapered root or short roots to the extent that there is not
an acceptable amount of periodontal ligament attachment present.
Lone-standing abutment adjacent to a distal extension space.

 A principal advantage of splinting with a removable prosthesis is cross-arch stabilization

Indirect retention :

 The indirect retainer is essential in the design of Class I and Class II removable partial dentures.
 Because of its position, the indirect retainer minimizes the rotation that occurs when a
dislodging force is placed on a distal extension base
 The indirect retainer also encourages vertical travel of the prosthesis when dislodging forces are
applied and reduce torquing forces.
 The indirect retainer or retainers must be positioned as far anterior to the fulcrum line as
practical
 For a Class III arch, indirect retention is not ordinarily required because there is no extension
base with which to create a lever arm.
 The consideration for a Class IV arch is the reverse of that for Class I and Class II arches.
 Since the extension base for a Class IV arch is anterior to the fulcrum line, indirect retention
must be located as far posteriorly as possible
Auxiliary rests :

 Auxiliary rests may be needed to provide additional vertical support for lingual plate major
connectors, long lingualbar major connectors, and large palatal major connectors.
 Auxiliary rests must always accompany lingual plating of the anterior teeth and must be located
no farther distal than the mesial fossae of the first premolars.

Occlusion :

 A smoothly functioning occlusion that is in harmony with the movements of both the
temporomandibular joints and the neuromusculature will minimize the load transferred to the
teeth and soft tissues.
 The occlusal surfaces of the artificial teeth can transmit varying amounts of force to the
supporting structures.
 The number of teeth being replaced may be reduced to decrease the amount of load
transferred to the residual ridge
 Artificial posterior teeth should possess sharp cutting to avoid the need for excessive forces in
mastication.
 Steep cuspal inclines on the artificial teeth should be avoided because they tend to permit the
development of horizontal forces that can produce torsional stresses on the abutment teeth.

Denture bases :