Elements of removable partial dentures

(Frank Kaiser)

A removable partial denture is a metallic structure supporting artificial teeth,

destined to recover the six following oral functions: chewing, aesthetic, phonetic, weakened
tooth stabilization, prevention of inclination migration or drawing of remaining teeth,
muscular balance in the face.

Clasps The opposition clasps (without retention)

are indicated for all the types of retention
Without making difficult the voluntary clasps.
removal of the prosthetic, the clasps must
have enough retention to avoid the
dislocation of the prosthetic during
functional efforts.
Three measuring instruments can be used
Wright
to calibrate the retention: Wrong

1 – 0.01"
2 – 0.02"
3 – 0.03"
The ideal form of the simple clasp:
Types of clasps: In tip - Half Moon

- Circumferential clasps
- Simple (Ackers)
- Ney n°1
- Twin (Bonwill)
- Back-action (Nally Martinez)
- M.D. (Equipoise) The indication of the type of clasp to be
- Bar clasps used depends on the size and the
- Roach (T) localization of the toothless spaces, the
- R.P.I. degree of inclination and the available
- Ney n°2 retention of the teeth.
- Diverse clasps
- Contention The volume of the muscular insertions, the
- Kennedy clasp aesthetic and the comfort of the patient
are also determinative.

Rests
The function of the rests is to assure that a
part or the totality loads exerted on the
artificial teeth during chewing are
transmitted to the support teeth. They are
always connected to the minor connectors,
and have a function of protection from the
papillas against crushing.

Types of rests :
- Oclusal rest
- Simples
Attention: Not to confuse the anatomical - Double
equator of the tooth (bigger contour) with - Twin
the prosthetic equator (equator in relation - Cingulum rest
between all the teeth). - Incisal rest
- Macro rest
The dentist makes the preparation in the
mouth, destined to receive the rest. The
direct rests are located directly to the side
of the prosthetic spaces. The indirect rests
are located distant to the prosthetic
spaces.
Location of the rests:
Major connectors
They are the elements in charge to connect
the other components of the prosthetic
between them, in the way to constitute a
single body. The major connector can be
compared to the frame of a car,
guaranteeing the rigidity and the good
functioning of all parts of the vehicle.

Types of major connectors:

- Lingual bar:

Saddles

The saddles are the elements of the partial
denture destined to fill the prosthetic
spaces, to support and to join the artificial
The lingual bar will be discharge 0.01" off
the gingival (0.02" free ends cases).
- Palatine plate:
Anterior and posterior stabilization wings
can be added in the palatines plates,

teeth between them. They also have a

function of transmission of the masticatory
forces to the gingival.

Minor connectors
Besides joining the rests and the clasps to
the saddles and the major connectors, they
are also a transmission path for the oclusal
loads to the support teeth. The direct minor
connectors are located directly to the side
improving the stability of the prosthetic,
creating an indirect retention.
- Dental major connector:
The dental major connector is a solution for
high lingual insertions, presence of torus,
or little height.

of the prosthetic spaces. The indirect minor

connectors are located the distant to the
prosthetic spaces.

They also have a

remaining teeth
stabilization function,
and they are a guide Frank Kaiser
for the partial during
Tel. +55 (41) 9972-0304
its insertion.
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