MAJOR CONNECTORS

MAJOR CONNECTORS
 It is defined as ”A part of a removable
partial denture which connects the
components on one side of the arch to the
components on the opposite side of the
arch” – GPT.
CLASSIFIED AS

MAXILLARY MAJOR MANDIBULAR MAJOR

CONNECTORS CONNECTORS
 GENERAL IDEAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
MAXILLARY AND MANDIBULAR MAJOR
CONNECTORS
 Rigidity:It should be rigid enough to uniformly
distribute the occlusal forces acting on any
portion of the prosthesis without undergoing
distortion.
 It should provide cross-arch stability.
 It should provide vertical support and protect
soft tissues.
 It should provide indirect retention whenever
required.
 It should be comfortable to the patient.
 It should not allow any food accumulation.
 It should be self-cleansing.
 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR ALL
MAJOR CONNECTORS

 Intentional relief: its border should be 6mm away from

gingival margins in the maxillary arch to avoid any injury
to marginal gingiva.
 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.
 The borders of the major connector should be parallel to
the gingival margins.
 The metal framework should cross the gingival margin
only at right angles.
 The part of the framework adjoining the tooth surface
should be hidden in the embrasures to avoid discomfort.
 The borders should be rounded to avoid interference
to the tongue.
 It should be symmetrical and should cross the palate
in a straight line.
 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.
 The major connector should not extend over the
bony prominences like tori.
MAXILLARY MAJOR CONNECTORS
 Additional requirements for maxillary major
connectors :
 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.
 Relief is given in cases of palatal tori or a prominent
mid palatine suture.
 TYPES OF MAXILLARY MAJOR
CONNECTOR
1. Single posterior palatal bar
2. Palatal strap
3. Single broad palatal major connector or
palatal plate type major connector
4. Double or anteroposterior palatal bar
5. Horseshoe or U-shaped connector
6. Closed horseshoe or anteroposterior
palatal strap
7. Complete palate
 SINGLE POSTERIOR PALATAL BAR
 It is a bar running across the palate,with a
narrow half oval cross section,which is thickest
at the centre.
 Indication : For interim partial denture.
 Disadvantages :
1.Poor bony support from the hard palate due to
narrow antero-posterior width.
2.It cant b used anterior to the premolar region due
to interference to the tongue.
3.Can be used only when 1 or 2 teeth are to be
replaced on each side due to poor vertical
support.
4.It can be used only in Kennedy’s class III cases
wherein teeth capable of bearing the load should
be present both anterior and posterior to the
edentulous space.
 PALATAL STRAP
 It comprises of a wide,thin band of metal plate
that runs across the palate.
 It should be atleast 8mm wide for adequate
rigidity
 This strap extends over 3 planes namely:
- Vault or horizontal plane.
- Right and Left lateral slopes of the palate.
 Indications :
- Unilateral distal extension partial denture.
- Bilateral short span edentulous spaces in a
tooth
supported prosthesis.
 Advantages :
- Good resistance with minimum volume of
metal.
- Excellent resistance against bending and twisting forces.
- Increases patient comfort as very thin metal is present.
- Enhanced retention d/t increased cohesion and adhesion.
- Good indirect retention against dislodgment by sticky
foods or gravity in an anterior direction.
 Disadvantages :
- large palatal coverage.
- posterior border should end before the junction of hard
and soft palate to avoid discomfort.
- the strap cant be placed across a prominent median
suture.
- can cause papillary hyperplasia.
 PALATAL PLATE TYPE MAJOR
CONNECTOR

 It has a thin broad contoured palatal coverage,it is

broader than a palatal strap.
 Indications :
- Class I cases with little vertical ridge resorption.
- Cases with V or U shaped palate.
- Cases with strong abutments.
- Cases with more than six remaining anterior teeth.
 Advantages :
- Good retention d/t presence of interfacial surface tension.
- Good vertical support.
- Surface configurations d/t very thin metal provide natural
feel.
 Disadvantages : can cause papillary hyperplasia.
 ANTERO-POSTERIOR OR DOUBLE
PALATAL BAR MAJOR CONNECTOR
 It is a combination of an anterior
palatal strap and a posterior palatal bar.
 The anterior strap is narrower than a
conventional palatal strap.
 The margins of the strap should lie on
the valley and not on the crest of the
rugae.
 Posterior bar is half oval.
 The strap and the bar are connected by
two longitudinal elements along the
lateral slopes of palate giving a circular
configuration which provides rigidity.
 Anterior strap lies in 3 planes,this also
contributes to the rigidity of the
prosthesis.
 Indications :
- when anterior and posterior abutment teeth are widely
separated.
- cases with large inoperable palatal tori.
- patient who wants to avoid complete palatal coverage.
- long edentulous span in Class II modification 1 arch.
- Class IV conditions.
 Advantages :
- rigid and strong with limited soft tissue coverage.
 Disadvantages :
- limited support from palate.
- uncomfortable d/t multiple borders,provides interference to
the tongue.
 HORSESHOE OR U-SHAPED MAJOR
CONNECTOR
 It is U-shaped running along the arch,it has a
thin metal band running along lingual surface of
posterior teeth,anteriorly it becomes more like a
thin plate that covers the cingula of the teeth.
 The posterior border extends 6-8mm onto the
palatal tissue,the entire surface and the borders
should be smooth and gently rounded.
 Indication :
- used when many teeth are to be replaced.
- used in presence of tori extending to the posterior
border of the hard palate or a prominent median
suture.
- excessive overbite of the anterior teeth.
 Advantages :
- reasonably strong.
- has moderate indirect retention and support.
 Disadvantages :
- it tends to straighten when vertical forces are applied on
either one or both ends,hence cant be used for distal
extension denture bases.
- greater bulk is required to avoid flexing of the major
connector causing patient discomfort.
 ANTERO-POSTERIOR PALATAL
STRAP OR CLOSED HORSE SHOE
MAJOR CONNECTOR
 Similar to U-shaped major connector but a
strap of metal extends between the two
open ends of the horseshoe,centre of palate
is left uncovered.
 Differs from a double palatal bar in that the

posterior strap is a thin plate.

 Indications :

- used when numerous teeth are to be

replaced and a torus is present.
- it is used in cases with Kennedy’s ClassI and
ClassII cases with anterior tooth
replacement.
 Advantages :
- rigid due to a circular configuration.
- additional strength and a circulard/t L-beam effect and a
circular configuration.
- greater support from palate.
 Disadvantages :
- interference with phonetics,annoyance to tongue and
discomfort.
 COMPLETE PALATE
 This major connector covers the entire palate.
 Anterior border should be 6mm away from the gingival margin or extend
upto the cingula of anterior teeth,posterior border should extend to the
junction of hard and soft palate.
 Indications :
- when many posterior teeth are replaced.
- in cases where anterior teeth are to be replaced along with a Kennedy’s
classI condition.
- In cases with flat ridges and shallow vaults where high stability is
required.
- for patients with well developed muscles of mastication or presence of all
mandibular teeth.
- in cleft palate cases with a narrow steep vault.
 Advantages :
- best rigidity and support.
- gives better perception.
 Disadvantages :
- soft tissue reactions like inflammation and hyperplasia
- interference with phonetics.
 MANDIBULAR MAJOR CONNECTORS
 TYPES :
1. LINGUAL BAR
2. LINGUAL PLATE
3. DOUBLE LINGUAL BAR
4. SUBLINGUAL BAR
5. MANDIBULAR CINGULUM BAR
6. LABIAL BAR
 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS :
- They are longer and narrower than the palatal connector
d/t the interference from the tongue.
- Relief is given in all the cases.
 1. 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: it is easy to fabricate.

- it has mild contact with oral tissues and no contact

with teeth
 Disadvantages :
- contraindicated in cases of tori.
- in cases with limited vestibular depth,the bar will be thinned
out and tends to flex.
 LINGUAL PLATE :

 It is similar to the lingual bar but the superior

border extends up to the cingulum of the lingual
surface of the teeth.
 Superior border is scalloped and has an intimate
contact with the teeth,this produces a knife edged
margin.
 In cases with large embrasures and spacing,th
superior border is made to dip down so that it is
not visible externally.
 Indications :
- when most posterior teeth are lost and indirect
retention is required.
- when remaining teeth are not periodontally
sound.when there is no space for lingual bar.
- presence of inoperable mandibular tori.
- in cases with retrognathic jaw
- when 1 or more incisor teeth have to be replaced.
 Advantages :
- most rigid and stable.
- provides indirect retention when rests are provided on the
premolars.
- additional tooth replacement can be easily added.
 Disadvantages :
- decalcification of tooth structure d/t food and plaque
accumulation.
- irritation of oral mucosa.
 DOUBLE LINGUAL BAR :
 It is also called lingual bar with cingulum bar retainer.
 It differs from lingual plate in that the lingual plate is
taken off.
 Lower border is pear shaped,similar to single lingual
bar.
 Upper bar is half oval,2-3mm high and 1mm thick.
 The upper bar should not run in a straight line
instead,it should dip into the embrasures.
 If a diastema is present,a step-back design is used.
 The two bars are connected with the help of a minor
connector placed between the canine and the
premolar.
 The minor connector is also used to place rests on the
mesial fossa of the first premolar.
 Indications :
- in cases with large interproximal embrasures needing
indirect retention.
- in cases with large diastema to avoid unaesthetic display of
metal.
 Advantages :
- provide indirect retention.
- horizontal stabilization.
- inter-proximal embrasures and gingival tissues are not
covered allowing free flow of saliva.
 Disadvantages :
- interference with the free movements of the tongue.
- if upper bar is not properly fitting food entrapment may
occur.
 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 : - lingual tori
- high frenal attachment.
- excessive elevation of the floor of the mouth during functional
movements.
 CINGULUM BAR :
 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.
 Step-back design is followed for diastema
patients.
 Indication :
- In cases with large interproximal embrasures
requiring indirect retention.
- in cases with large diastema to avoid unaesthetic
display of metal.
 LABIAL BAR :
 It is similar to a lingual bar placed on the labial
surface,but it is broader and thicker than a lingual bar.
 It a also half-pear-shaped in cross section.
 It runs along the mucosa labial to the anterior teeth.
 The labial bar is generally longer than the lingual bar.
 Indication :
- used when the teeth are lingually placed or inclined.
- in cases with inoperable mandibular tori.
 Disadvantages :
- poor aesthetics.
- tends to distort lower lip.
- patient discomfort.