Major Connectors

Dr Shoaib Razi

Components of CPD

Major Connector
Minor Connector
Direct Retainer
Indirect retainer
Denture base

Major Connector
The unit of a removable partial denture that
connects the various parts of the denture. Its
principal functions are to provide unification and
rigidity to the denture.

Functions
Unification
Stress distribution
Cross arch stabilization
Major coonector should not impinge soft tissue
Should be free of movable tissue
Relief should be given where interference is
expected

Mandibular major connectors

Lingual bar
Lingual plate
sub lingual bar
Cingulum bar
Labial bar
Lingual bar and lingual plate are most
commonly used major connectors

Lingual Bar
Half pear shaped
Superior and inferior borders are well rounded
so not to impinge tissue.
4mm gingival clearence
Inferior border is thicker than superior border
0.5 mm relief provided
Extended according to lingual frena

limitations
High frenal attachment
Shallow sulcus depth
Tori!

Lingual plate
Extends from the middle third of the lingual
surface till the depth of sulcus.
Thin, feasable design following contours of the
teeth and embrasures.
Should be rigid.
Bulk at the inferior border is the same as bar.

indications
high frena
Class 1 with severe ridge resorption
Serves as a splint for periodontally compromised
teeth

Sub lingual bar

Same as lingual bar just placed parallel to
anterior part of floor of mouth
When 4mm clearance cannot be provided.
Position is inferior and posterior to lingual bar

Cingulum bar
It is used when lingual and sublingual bar
cannot be given.
Depth of sulcus is an issue
Patient tolerance?

Kennedys bar
Cingulum + lingual bar
Periodontaly compromised teeth

Labial Bar
Buccal bar
Lingually inclined teeth
Also indicated in circumstances where a
connector cannot be given on the lingual
side due to unusual anatomy
Better suited for short spans.

Maxillary Major Conncetors

Difference between strap and bar?

AP palatal strap/bar
Full palatal plate
Palatal strap or bar
Anterior palatal plate

Anterio-posteriori palatal strap

Involves an anterior and a posterior strap
which are joined together with longitudinal
connector which provides strength to the
connector as a whole.
Maximum rigidity
Minimum bulk

Strap should be atleast 8mm wide.

Can be used where palatal tori are present
Any kennedys classification.
Predominates class II and class IV.
Posterior strap should not extend on soft palate.

Full palatal plate

 Required where maximum tissue support is

needed.
Long distal extension.
Maximum tissue coverage helps even distribution
of forces so there is less force on each unit.
Patient tolerance?
Minimum bulk should be given
Slight movement while chewing is present
Palatal tori?

Anterior palatal plate

Also known as U shaped palatal plate and Horse
Shoe type connector.
Rigididty is questionable.
Tori?
More anterior teeth replacement.
Causes impingement of tissues.
More bulky to provide adequate rigidity leading
to interference with speech.

Single palatal strap/ bar.

The palatal bar should only be used in tooth
supported cases where no other connector can
be used. It is usually objectionable due to its
bulk.
It should never be used in cases involving distal
extensions or replacement of anterior teeth since
it must be made to bulky for rigidity.

 The palatal strap is similar but with a broader area of

contact, providing better stabilization and stress
distributing properties with minimum bulk.
Therefore it is preferable to the palatal bar for posterior
tooth supported cases.
However, other connectors should be
chosen if there is a large torus or
if many teeth are being replaced