CONNECTORS

CONNECTORS
1-minor connectors . 2-major connectors.

Maxillary Mandibular
major major
connectors connectors
MAJOR CONNECTORS
Definition
 A major connector is the component of the
partial denture that connects the parts of the
prosthesis located on one side of the arch with
those on the opposite side.

 This component also provides the cross-arch

stability to help resist displacement by
functional stresses; a rigid major connector will
limit movement possibilities by acting as a
counteracting lever.
 Functions
 unification of the major parts of the prosthesis.

 distribution of the applied force throughout the

arch to selected teeth and tissue.

 Cross-Arch Stabilization . (Counter leverage)

Bracing elements on one side of the arch providing
stability to the other
 Location
• Major connectors should be designed and
located with the following guidelines in mind:
1. Major connectors should be free of movable
tissue.
2. Impingement of gingival tissue should be
avoided.
3. Bony and soft tissue prominences should be
avoided during placement and removal.
4. Relief :
 Mandibular connectors:
should be located and/or relieved to prevent
impingement of tissue because the distal
extension denture rotates in function.

 Maxillary connectors:
require no relief, except for a palatal torus or
prominent median palatal suture area.
 A- Mandibular Major Connectors
Types:
1. Lingual bar.
2. Linguoplate.
3. Sublingual bar.
4. Lingual bar with Cingulum bar (continuous
bar).
5. Cingulum bar (continuous bar).
6. Labial bar.
1-Lingual Bar
 Most common in mandible.
Use whenever possible.
 Shape:
cross-section is a half-pear shape with its greatest bulk
at the inferior border & the Superior border tapered
toward the soft tissue.
 Size :
Width:4 mm.
Thickness : 1.5- 2 mm.
 Superior border located as far below the
gingival tissue as possible. (at least 4 mm and
more if possible).
 The inferior border of a lingual mandibular
major connector must be located so that it
does not impinge on the tissue in the floor of
the mouth because it changes elevations
during the normal activities.
Two clinical methods used to determine the relative
height of the floor of the mouth and locate the
inferior border of a lingual mandibular major
connector:
1-Height of floor of the mouth (tongue elevated) in
relation to lingual gingival sulci measured with a
periodontal probe.
2- Impression made with functional movement of
the tongue to demonstrate maximum shortening
of the floor of the mouth.
Indication:
 when there is sufficient space exists between
the slightly elevated alveolar lingual sulcus &
the lingual gingival tissues ( more than 8 mm).
 Contraindications:
Remaining natural anterior teeth severely tilted
lingually.
Interfering lingual tori.
High attachment of lingual frenum.
 Interference with elevation of the floor of the
mouth during functional movements (< 8 mm)
Advantages:
1- dose not cover gingival tissues.
2- dose not contact teeth or gingival tissues.

Disadvantages:
1- it maybe flexible if poorly constructed.
2- generally will not provide as much rigidity as a
well constructed lingual plate.
2- Linguoplate(lingual plate)
 Thin metal apron extending superiorly to
contact cingula of anterior teeth and lingual
surfaces of involved posterior teeth at their
height of contour.
 Half-pear shaped with bulkiest portion
inferiorly located.

Apron extended interproximal to the height of

contact points (Scalloped contour).

Inferior border at the determined height of the

alveolar lingual sulcus when the patient's
tongue is slightly elevated.

 Both the linguoplate and the cingulum bar

should ideally have a terminal rest at each end.
Indications:
1- When the space available for a lingual bar is
limited (less than 8 mm):
 High floor of the mouth (< 8 mm)
 Prominent lingual frenum
 Lingual tori
2-To help resist horizontal rotation of the distal
extension type of denture( class1) .

3- Act as periodontal splint for periodontally

weakened teeth using to support prosthesis.
4- where future replacement of anterior teeth is
expected.

5- Where increased rigidity over the lingual bar

is desirable.
Advantages:
1- More rigid.
2- Not interfere with tongue.
3- Used for splinting ant. Teeth.
4- used as indirect retention.
Disadvantages:
1- cover the teeth & gingival tissues.
2- contribute to caris &periodontal disease.
3- can not be used with spaced ant. Teeth.
 Lingual Plate
Variations

Interrupted linguoplate in presence of

interproximal spaces
3-Sublingual Bar
 A modification of the lingual bar that has
been demonstrated .
 The bar shape remains essentially the same
as that of a lingual bar, but placement is
inferior and posterior to the usual placement
of a lingual bar, lying over and parallel to the
anterior floor of the mouth.
Indications:
1- there is inadequate depth of the floor of the
mouth to place a lingual bar.
2- presence of an anterior lingual undercut.
Contraindications:
1- interfering lingual tori.
2-high attachment of a lingual frenum.
3- interference with elevation of the floor of the
mouth during functional movements.
4- Remaining natural anterior teeth severely
tilted lingually.
4-Cingulum Bar (Continuous Bar)
 A cingulum bar located on or slightly above
the cingula of the anterior teeth may be
added to the lingual bar or can be used
independently.

 scalloped to follow interproximal embrasures

with inferior and superior borders tapered to
tooth surfaces.
5-Lingual bar with continuous bar (cingulum
bar),(Kennedy bar),(double lingual bar)
  the connector composed of two bars ,upper
bar is continuous bar ,lower bar lingual bar .

continuous
bar

lingual bar
Advantages:
1- does not cover gingival margins.
2- the open space allows natural stimulation of
the gingival tissues.

Disadvantages:
1- Potential food trap between two bars.
2- metal will display through wide diastema .
6- Labial Bar
 Superior border located at least 4 mm
inferior to labial and buccal gingival margins
and more if possible.

 Inferior border located in the labial-buccal

vestibule at the junction of attached and
unattached mucosa..
: Indication
1- severely lingually inclined mandibular anterior
teeth (prevent the use of lingually con.)
2- large man. tori exist and surgery is precluded.
3- severe and abrupt lingual tissue undercuts.
 Swing-lock design (Hinged Continuous
Labial Bar)

Labial bar
variation
Maxillary Major Connectors
1. Single palatal strap.
2. Anterior-Posterior Palatal Strap .
3. Palatal plate-type connector.
4. U-shaped palatal connector (Anterior Palatal
Strap).
5. Single palatal bar.
6. Anterior-posterior palatal bar.
 Requirements for Maxillary Major
Connectors
 intimate contact b/w the tissue side of the
max. major connector & palatal tissues is
necessary for RPD to enhance its support,
retention & bracing.
 The border are placed a minimum of 6 mm
away from gingival margins.
6 mm
  usually no relief is required.
 the border should be beaded.

bead lines:
Minor elevations that slightly
displace the soft tissue & it is a
structural requirement in max
major connectors called bead
lines
1- Anterior-Posterior Palatal Strap
Maximum rigidity .
Minimum bulk.
Use in most cases .
Especially torus palatinus.
Indications:
1. Class I and II arches in which excellent
abutment and residual ridge support exists.
2. Long edentulous spans in Class II,
modification 1 arches.
3. Class IV arches.
4. Inoperable palatal tori that do not extend
posteriorly to the junction of the hard and
soft palates.
5. The only condition preventing its use is when
there is an inoperable maxillary torus that
extends posteriorly to the soft palate.
2- Anterior-Posterior Palatal Bar
Indication :
Same as (A-P) strap .
Advantage:
cover minimal amount of palatal tissues.
Disadvantage:
1- b.c the bars are narrow they need more bulk
to be rigid.
2- More objectionable to the patient .

Note:
Strap connectors provide greater distribution of stresses
3- Palatal Plate-Type Connector
 Covers one half or more of the hard palate.
 Maximum tissue support.
 Connector of choice in long distal extension
cases .
Greater stability and stress distribution.
Increases retention.
Not used with torus .
Connector should:
 be fabricated of uniformly thin metal
 have accurate anatomic reproduction of the
rugae (improves retention, strength and
rigidity ).
 Cover same area as complete denture
posteriorly .
 Have large surface area of mucosal contact
(Improves retention).
Types of Palatal Plate-Type Connector

Complete palatal
Single broad palatal
coverage major
major connector
connector
 A- Single broad palatal major connector

Anterior border following

valleys of rugae and not
extending anterior to
occlusal rests or indirect
retainers

Posterior border located at

junction of hard and soft
palate.
 B- Complete palatal coverage major
connector
Cast major
connector

acrylic
resin

B- use a cast major

connector anteriorly with
retention posteriorly for the
A- use a complete cast plate.
attachment of an acrylic
resin denture base that
extends posteriorly.
Indications:
1. Abutments are periodontally involved.
2. Maximum stress distribution is needed.
3. Flabby tissue .
4- Single Palatal Strap
 Strap should be 8mm wide or approximately
as wide as the combined width of a maxillary
premolar and first molar.

 Relief may be required over bony midline.

Indication:
 Usually use for Class III & IV cases .

Contraindications:
1- Never use distal extensions cases.
2- Not used with torus.
5- Palatal Bar
 Not commonly use .
Advantage:
 Narrow anterio-posteriorly (Less than 8 mm
in width).
Disadvantages:
1- Thick occluso-gingivally .
2- Palatal bar objectionable to patient tongue
due to bulk.
6-U-Shaped or "Horse-Shoe" Palatal
Connector
 From both the patient’s standpoint and a
mechanical standpoint, the U-shaped palatal
connector is the least desirable of maxillary
major connectors.

Indications:
1- a large inoperable palatal torus extends to the
posterior limit of the hard palate .
2- when several anterior teeth are to be replaced.
 Disadvantages /contraindications
1. Its lack of rigidity ,too flexible.
2. Lack to provide good support characteristics
( allows movement at the open end post.).
3. Traumatic to the residual ridge.
Beading of the Maxillary Cast
 Beading is a term used to denote the
scribing of a shallow groove on the maxillary
master cast outlining the palatal major
connector exclusive of rugae areas.
 Bead Lines
 A palatal major connector should have a
prepared seal along the border of the
connector.

 The bead is produced by scraping a groove

approximately 1mm wide and 0.5 mm depth.
 The purposes of beading
1. To transfer the major connector design to the
investment cast.

2. To provide a visible finishing line for the

casting.

3. To ensure intimate tissue contact of the major

connector with palatal tissue.