Direct retainer

Part III
Circumferential clasp
Also called as Akers clasp

Most logical choice for tooth supported PD’s

Advantages
 Options available are many, so can be used almost in all situations
 Easy to repair
 Characterized as clasp which does not accommodate movement

Dis-Advantages
 More tooth coverage may cause de-calcification
 Changes the morphology of the abutment tooth
 Its difficult to adjust the clasp with pliers
 1.Simple circlet clasp
Introduced by Dr.N.B.Nesbitt in 1916
 This is characterized by the fact that the retentive
terminal approaches the undercut of the tooth from
above the survey lines.
 This type of retention is sometimes called as “pull
type” of retention.
 Most widely used clasp.
 Is the design of choice for tooth supported RPD
Advantages
 excellent support, bracing and retentive properties
 Easiest clasp to construct
 Easy to repair.

Disadvantages
 covers large amount of tooth surface and increases the surface area of the
crown (food lodgment may occur and affect periodontium)
 If proper oral hygiene is not maintained, the underlying enamel is at
increased risk for decalcification.
 Poor Aesthetics
Rules for use
 The retentive clasp arm should originate above HOC and the retentive terminal

should be positioned below the height of contour(HOC).

 The retentive clasp should always point towards the occlusal surface, never toward

gingiva.

 This help to produce a curved clasp results in greater flexibility.

 The retentive terminal should terminate at the mesial or distal line angle of the

abutment tooth, never at the midfacial or midlingual surfaces.

2.Reverse circlet design
 The reverse circlet clasp is used when the retentive undercut is located

on the surface of the abutment tooth adjacent to edentulous space.

 This clasp is usually designed such a way that the clasp arises from the

mesial side and ends on the distal under cut.

 In a distal extension partial denture the reverse approach circlet clasps

helps control stresses transmitted to terminal abutment tooth on the

edentulous side. .
 2.Reverse circlet design
Indications
 Kennedys Class I and Class II with undercut area towards the edentulous space.
 presence of a soft tissue undercut caused by the buccoversion of the abutment

teeth

Disadvantages :
 Poor strength, failure to remove adequate tooth structure often results in thin

portions of the clasp assembly that are susceptible to fracture

 Its not esthetically pleasing.
 Its not often the clasps of choice for canine and

premolar.
 3.Multiple circlet clasps
 The multiple circuit clasp in essentially two
opposing simple circlet clasp joined at the
terminal end of the two reciprocal arms.
 It is typically considered when the primary
abutment is periodontally compromised
 3.Multiple circlet clasps
Advantages
 Is that it shares the retention responsibilities among several
abutment teeth on one side of the arch when a principal
abutment tooth has lost some of its periodontal support.
 It also can be used for splinting weakened abutment tooth.

Disadvantage
 lack of esthetics and needs more occlusal clearance.
 Multiple circlet clasps
4.Embrasure clasp
Is a modified circlet clasp

 This is essentially 2 simple circlet clasps joined at the body.

Indications:
 Used in the side of the arch where there is no edentulous space.

Disadvantage:
 More tooth structure should be removed to provide sufficient
thickness of the metal
 5.Ring clasp
 The ring clasp is most often indicated on tipped molars

 In tipped molars where available retentive undercut will be

located on the mesio-lingual line angle of a mandibular

molar and mesio-buccal line angle of a maxillary molar.

 The ring clasp engages this undercut by encircling almost

the entire tooth from its point of origin.

 In mandibular molar it starts in this mesio-occlusal surface
and terminate in an infra bulge on the mesiolingual surface.

 In a maxillary molar it starts at the mesiolingual and

terminate in an undercut in the mesio buccal area.
 Because of its additional length of the clasp arm, it must be
designed with extra support usually in the form of a bracing
arm(supporting strut).
 The entire clasp , except the retention tip must be placed above
the height of contour.

Disadvantage :
 Contour of the crown is drastically altered
 It cannot retain its physical qualities
 Difficult to adjust or repair
Contraindications:
 If the buccinators attachment lies close to the
lower molar
 If the bracing arm/strut will have to cross a soft
tissue undercut
6.Reverse action
 Also called as Fish hook, hairpin.
 Is essentially a simple circlet clasp in which the retentive

arm, after crossing the facial surface of the tooth from its

point of origin, loops back to engage a proximal undercut

below its point of origin.

 The upper part of the retentive arm is considered to be a

minor connector and should be rigid, the lower part should

be should be flexible.
 The upper arm should not interfere with opposing occlusion.
 6.Reverse action
Indication :
 undercut adjacent to the occlusal rest or edentulous space

 When soft tissue undercut precludes the use of a bar clasp

 It also indicated when a reverse circlet cannot be used

because of lack of occlusal space.

Disadvantage :
 As it cover considerable tooth structure it may trap food

debris.
 Not advisable for caries prone and young patients.
 Poor esthetics.
 7.Onlay clasp
 It is an extension of a metal crown or onlay with buccal and lingual
clasp arms.
 The clasp may originate from any part on the onlay that may not
cause occlusal interference.

Indication
 In the occlusal surfaces of submerged abutment teeth(that are
below the occlusal plane)
 It should be given on caries free mouths.
 8.Half and Half Clasp
 It has a retentive arm arising from one direction and a reciprocal arm

arising from another.

 Two minor connectors are needed for this design

 The first minor connector attaches the Occlusal rest and the retentive arm

to the major connector.

 The second minor connector connects the reciprocal arm which is similar to

the bar clasp with or with out an auxillary rest.

 This design is intended to provide dual retention

 9.Back action clasp
 It is a modification of the ring clasp
 Here the minor connector is connected to the end of the
clasp arm and the Occlusal rest is left unsupported

Disadvantages
 Lack of support to the Occlusal rest reduces its function
 It has both biological and mechanical unsound principles