Lecture 6: Denture Bases

and Teeth for Removable

Partial Dentures
Karen L. Faraone, D.D.S., M.A.
Department of Restorative Dentistry
 General Goal: each student
should be able to analyze the various
designs of denture bases and select
the appropriate base and teeth

Required reading: McCracken,

10th edition, pages 153 - 168
 Objectives:
Each student should analyze the various
denture bases:

• identify the functions of denture bases

• relate RPD bases to complete denture bases
• differentiate between tooth supported and tooth-tissue
supported denture bases
• differentiate between acrylic resin and metal denture bases
• understand the need for a tissue rest (stop)
 Objectives:
Each student should analyze various artificial
teeth for use with partial dentures and the
factors influencing tooth selection:

• identify the function of artificial teeth

• identify the various types of artificial teeth
• understand the factors influencing tooth selection
• understand the methods of attaching artificial teeth to
RPDs
Removable Partial
Denture Base
that component of the partial denture
that supports the artificial teeth and
effects the transfer of occlusal forces
to the oral mucosa
 Functions:
• masticatory
• cosmetic
• stimulation of residual ridge
– broad stress distribution
– disuse atrophy
• prevention of natural tooth migration
• eliminates food traps and promotes oral
cleanliness
Types of Bases
• Tooth supported
• Tooth-tissue supported
Tooth Supported Base
• a span between two abutments supporting
artificial teeth
• occlusal forces are transferred directly to
abutment teeth through the rests

tooth supported bases

Tooth-tissue Supported Base
• also known as a distal extension base
• base must contribute to support of denture
• edentulous area close to terminal abutment
is supported primarily by occlusal rest on
abutment tooth
• farther from the abutment, support comes
more from the underlying ridge tissues
Tooth-tissue Supported Base
• snowshoe principle - support - broad
coverage for least load per unit area
• 3 mm. ovoid tissue rest (stop) placed in 2nd
molar area of mandibular distal extension
• stability during jaw relation records
• stability during processing
Tooth-tissue Supported Base

Tissue Rest (Stop)

 Material of Fabrication
Ideal Base Material
• accuracy of adaptation to tissues
• dense, non-irritating surface capable of good finish
• thermal conductivity
• low specific gravity (light weight)
• strength to resist fracture or distortion
• cleansible
• esthetic
• potential for reline
• low cost
 Material of Fabrication
Acrylic resin bases:
• attached to RPD framework by a minor connector
– mesh pattern
– lattice pattern
• allows for internal relief
• allows for reline
• esthetics & restoration of anatomic contours
• need adequate vertical space for bulk of acrylic
Acrylic Resin Base
Pre-fabricated mesh pattern:
Meshwork is used to attach acrylic resin denture
bases to the framework. Although rigid and
possessing adequate strength, bulk of the
meshwork itself may contribute to weakening of
the acrylic resin base.

Acrylic
retention
mesh
Acrylic Resin Base
Hand-waxed Acrylic Retention Lattice:
the more open type of denture base retention is
preferable to mesh
 Acrylic Resin Base
processed dentures:
acrylic surrounds
retention mesh or
lattice

acrylic retention
lattice with external
finishing the acrylic:
finish lines visible
internal finish line is
visible
Acrylic Retention Lattice
External Finish Line
Acrylic Retention Lattice
Internal Finish Line
 Metal Base
• usually cast as integral part of RPD framework
• preferred for short span tooth-borne spaces without recent
extractions
• preferred when vertical height is limited
• accuracy and permanence of form
– cast more accurately
– maintains accuracy of form in mouth - no release of internal
strains
– interfacial surface tension contributes to retention
– resistance to abrasion from cleansing agents
 Metal Base (cont).
• comparative tissue response
– inherent cleanliness contributes to health of oral tissues when
compared to acrylic
– greater density - bacteriostatic activity contributed by
ionization and oxidation
• thermal conductivity
– temperature is conducted to underlying tissues
– may contribute to patient acceptance
– avoid feeling of foreign body
• sufficient strength with “thin” base
 Metal Base
Metal
bases

Metal base

The metal denture base contacts the residual ridge.

Teeth are attached to the non-tissue side of the
base with nail heads, beads, or wire loops cast as
part of the framework.
Artificial Teeth
replacement of missing natural teeth
for esthetics, phonetics, mastication
and must be in harmony with
remaining dentition
Types of Artificial Teeth:

• Plastic teeth
• Porcelain teeth
• Facings
• Metal teeth
 Plastic Teeth:
• usually indicated for RPDs
• chemical bond with base resins
• easy to recontour and polish
• decreased abrasion of natural dentition
• may be used in combination with cast metal
posts or loops to enhance mechanical
retention
 Plastic Teeth

This RPD replaces teeth 6

through 11. The pink
base replaces resorbed
bone. The acrylic teeth Acrylic teeth bonded to pink
are chemically bonded to acrylic base.
the pink acrylic base.
 Plastic Teeth

Metal base with nail Acrylic tube teeth

head retention attached to metal base
with nail head retention
 Porcelain Teeth
• needs mechanical bond to denture base
• more susceptible to fracture
• needs sufficient vertical space to ensure
mechanical bond
• abrasive - should not oppose natural, plastic
or gold teeth
• difficult to contour and repolish
Porcelain Teeth

A porcelain tooth has a hole in the base

of the tooth and small holes in the
interproximal surface called diatorics for
mechanical retention.
 Facings:
• metal backing
– increases strength
– may exhibit flat appearance
– may affect shade & translucency

• may be used when there is insufficient denture base resin to

provide mechanical retention and ensure strength

• difficult framework fabrication

 Facings

This is a clinical situation

where maxillary anterior Facings are selected and
facings are indicated because placed on a plastic backing.
of the small amount of space
left by the opposing dentition.
 Facings

The acrylic pattern becomes part of

The acrylic backing is the pattern that forms the cast metal
cut to fit the facing. backing.
 Facings

Facing replacing tooth #8 and

tube tooth replacing tooth #3
 Metal Teeth
• used where space is limited
• increased resistance to fracture and abrasion
• unesthetic
• difficult to adjust occlusion
 Metal Teeth

Metal Tube
tooth teeth Backing

Metal teeth
Factors influencing tooth selection:
• size of remaining natural teeth
• shade of remaining natural teeth
• cusp height of opposing teeth
• amount of available space O-G and M-D
• mechanical properties
– chemical bond
– mechanical bond
– abrasion resistance
– fracture resistance
 Factors influencing tooth
selection cont.
• condition of muco-osseous supporting tissues - may need
to decrease forces transmitted to residual ridges
– decreased F-L width of occlusal table
– decreased number of posterior teeth
– space teeth with diastemas
– redefine anatomy on occlusal surfaces to re-establish
masticatory efficiency
– plastic teeth may decrease forces
 Attachment to Base
• Acrylic resin
– mechanical retention of porcelain teeth with pins or
diatoric holes
– mechanical retention to metal base by use of nail head,
retention loops or beads
– chemical bond to acrylic teeth
• Cement
• Resin teeth processed directly to the metal