COMPONENTS OF A

REMOVABLE PARTIAL
DENTURE
Dr. Waseem Bahjat Mushtaha
Phd in prosthodontics

A removable partial denture will have some of

the following components:
I-Major connector
2-Minor connector
3-Rests
4-Direct retainers (clasps)
5-Indirect retainers
6- One or more denture bases and replacement
teeth

I- MAJOR CONNECTORS
The major connector connects the parts of the
prosthesis located on one side of the arch
with those on the opposite side. All other
parts of the partial denture are attached to it
either directly or indirectly.

Requirements of major connectors

1- Must be rigid to transmit stresses of mastication from one side of the
arch to the other.
2- Must be properly located in relation to gingival and movable soft
tissues.
3-must not impinge on the gingival margin.
4-provide an opportunity of positioning denture bases were needed
5-maintain patients comfort by covering little tissues, avoid food trap and
avoid bony and soft tissue prominence during insertion and removal

MAXILLARY MAJOR
CONNECTORS
Design specifications:
I-The borders are placed a minimum of 6 mm from gingival
margins or are positioned on the lingual surfaces of the
teeth .
2-Relief is normally not required under the major connector.
3- The posterior palatal bar or strap should be located as
far posteriorly as possible without contacting the movable
soft palate.
4-All borders should taper slightly towards the soft tissue.
5-Both anterior and posterior borders should cross the midline
at right angles, never diagonally .
6- The thickness of the metal should be uniform throughout
the palate.

7-The finished borders of the metal should be

gently curved, never angular .
8- The metal should be smooth but not highly
polished on the tissue side. ( to avoid delete
fine details )
9-All borders on the soft tissue should be
beaded with the bead fading out near the
gingival margin of the teeth.

TYPES OF MAXILLARY MAJOR

CONNECTORS
The term bar is used whenever the
anteroposterior width of the major
connector is less than 8 mm. If the
anteroposterior width of the major
connector is in the 8 to 12 mm range the
term strap is applied. When more than 12
mm is covered the term palatal plate is used.
If the entire palate is covered, the term
complete palatal plate is used.

The following types of maxillary major

connectors are used:
1-single palatal bar
2-anteroposterior, or double, palatal bar.
3-single palatal strap.
4-horseshoe, or U-shaped connector
5-closed horseshoe or anteroposterior palatal
strap.
6-complete palatal plate

1- SINGLE PALATAL BAR

Indications:
In tooth- borne partial denture when second premolars and or first molars are
missing.
Design:
I -It is a narrow half oval with its thickest point at the center.
2-It is gently curved and should not form a sharp angle at the junction with the
denture base .
3-It should not be placed further anterior to the second premolar. This position is
favorable for the tongue action.
Disadvantages:
l-For a single bar to maintain any degree of rigidity it should be bulky (less
acceptable by the patient).
2-It drives little support from the bony palate because its narrow anteroposterior
width.
3- Its use is limited to replace one or two teeth on each side of the arc.

II-ANTEROPOSTERIOR
PALATAL BAR
Indications:
1 -It can be used in any class specially when the anterior and
posterior abutments are widely separated.
2-When a patient objects a large amount of palatal coverage.
3- In patients with large palatal torus.

Design:
1-The anterior bar is flat but narrower than the palatal strap.
2-The posterior bar is half oval similar to the single bar but
less bulky.
3- The two bars are joined by flat longitudinal bars on each
side palate

Advantages:
1-It is rigid because it lies at different planes.
2-It offers little tissue coverage.

Disadvantages:
The anteroposterior bars should not be considered as
the first choice because of the following
disadvantages:
1-Provides little support from the palate.
2- The anterior bar covers the rugae area and may
interfere with phonetics and patient's comfort.
3-Because the bars are narrow, extra bulk is
required for rigidity.

ANTEROPOSTERIOR PALATAL
BAR

III- SINGLE PALATAL STRAP

Indications:
1- In most maxillary tooth borne partial dentures when posterior teeth are missing.
2- In tooth-mucosa borne partial dentures when the extension base is short.

Design:
I-It consists of a wide, thin band of metal that crosses the palate. Its anterior border
should be posterior to the rugae area and the posterior border should terminate
short of the junction of the hard and soft palate.
2-Anteroposterior width is within the 8- I 2mm range.

Advantages:
1- Rigid because it is wide and located in different planes.
2- It increases patient comfort because it is thin.
3-It provides support to the partial denture since it covers a relatively large area of
the palate.

Disadvantages:
The patient may complaint from excessive palatal coverage.

SINGLE PALATAL STRAP

IV- HORSESHOE OR U-SHAPED

CONNECTOR
Indication:
1-When several anterior teeth are being
replaced.
2-In tooth-borne partial dentures with anterior
and posterior teeth are missing.
3-When a hard midline suture or palatal torus
cannot be covered.

Design:
I-It consists of U-shaped thin band of metal of 6-8 mm In width .
2-The borders must be either 6mm away from the gingival margin or
extend onto the lingual surfaces of the teeth.
3-The connector should be uniform in thickness, symmetric, and with
curved and smooth borders

Advantages:
1- It solves the problem of missing anterior teeth especially when there is
deep anterior vertical overlap
2- It offers a definite advantage in the presence of hard median suture or
large torus.

Disadvantages:
I-Tends to be less rigid than other connectors as a buccolingual movement
may occur in the posterior area.
2-It covers the rugae area and interferes with phonetics and patient's
comfort.

V- ANTEROPOSTERIOR
PALATAL STRAP (CLOSED
HORSESHOE)
Indications:
1- In tooth borne, and mucosa borne partial
dentures when replacement of anterior and
posterior teeth is required.
2- When a palatal torus exists.

Design:
1- The anterior strap should be positioned as back as
possible on the rugae area
2- The posterior strap should be placed as far back
as possible on the hard palate.
3-The borders of the connector should be placed 6
mm away from the gingival margins or should
extend above the height of contour of the teeth

Advantages:
I-It is rigid because it lies at to different planes.
2-lt provide good support to the partial denture.

Disadvantages:
May be not accepted by some patients due to
multiple borders and coverage to the rugae area

VI-THE COMPLETE PALATAL

PLATE
Indications:
1-In long span bilateral tooth-mucosa borne partial denture
with and without anterior teeth replacement.
2-Should be used whenever maximum tissue support is
desired.
3-ln patients with palatal defects.
4-Maximum palatal coverage should be considered in the
presence of poor residual ridge, periodontal disease,
increased muscular force and poor bone indices.
5-In transitional partial denture.

Design:
1-The anterior border should be 6 mm away
from the gingival margin.
2-Posterior borders are extended to the
junction of movable and immovable soft
palate.
3-The posterior border is beaded to prevent
debris from collecting beneath the plate.

Advantages:
1-It offers maximum rigidity support and
retention to the partial denture.
2-It is made in a uniform thin metal plate,
which reproduce anatomic contour of the
palate and feel natural to the patient.

Disadvantages:
1-Often cannot be used in the presence of a
palatal torus.
2-Complete palatal coverage may alter taste
and tactile sensation.

Types of palatal plates

I-Complete cast metal plate covering the
entire palate. It may not be relined easily
2-Complete resin-plate, which can be relined
or rebased
3-Combination of anterior metal with
posterior resin area. The resin area may be
relined or rebased

Palatal plate

MANDIBULAR MAJOR
CONNECTORS
Design specifications:
1-The superior borders are placed at least 3 mm from the
gingival margins. Where a 3mm distance from the gingival
margins cannot be obtained the metal should extend onto
the cingula of anterior teeth or onto the lingual surfaces of
the posterior teeth.
2- The inferior border should not interfere with the soft tissue
movement of the floor of the mouth.
3-Relief of the tissue surface of the major connector is
required to prevent tissue impingement at rest or during
function.
4-The metal should be highly polished on the tissue side to
minimize plaque accumulation,

TYPES OF MANDIBULAR
MAJOR CONNECTORS
1-Lingual bar.
II-Sublingual bar.
III- Double lingual bar.
IV- Lingual plate.
V-Labial bar.

I-Lingual bar
Indication:
It is the first choice major connector, should be used whenever the
functional depth of the lingual vestibule equal or exceed 8 mm.

Design:
l-The bar should be half pear-shaped in cross section. Superior inferior
dimension is 5 mm, and it is 2 mm in thickness.
2- The superior border of the bar should be located at least 3 mm from the
gingival margins of all adjacent teeth.
3- The Inferior border may be placed at the functional depth of the lingual
vestibule.
4-Relief of the tissue surface of the bar major connector is necessary.

Advanlages:
1- The simplest mandibular major connector
with highest patient acceptance.
2-lt does not cover the teeth or the gingival
tissues.
Disadvantages:
If it is not properly designed it may not be
rigid

II-Sublingual bar
Indications:
When the lingual bar cannot be used because of a lack of functional depth
of the lingual vestibule (depth of 5-7 mm).

Design:
1-The sublingual bar is essentially a lingual bar rotated 45 degrees .
2- The superior border of the bar should be located at least 3 mm from the
gingival margins of all adjacent teeth.

Advantages:
1- It does not covers the teeth or tissues.
2-More rigid than a lingual bar in the horizontal plane.

Disadvantages:
A functional impression of the vestibule is required to accurately register
the position and contour of the vestibule.

Sublingual bar

III-The double lingual bar

Indications:
1- When indirect retention is required.
2- When periodontally affected teeth that require splinting are present.

Design:
1 -It is made of two bars; cingulum bar (Kennedy bar) and the conventional lingual bar. A
rigid minor connector at the embrasure between the canine and first premolars joins the
two bars. Rests are placed at each end of the upper bar attached to the minor connector
2- The lower bar has the same design as a single lingual bar
3- The upper bar is scalloped, and half-oval in cross section (2-3 mm high, and 1 mm thick
at its greatest diameter).

Advantages:
1-Provides indirect retention.
2-Contributes to horizontal stabilization .
3-No gingival margin coverage.

Disadvantages:
I-Tongue annoyance.
2-Food impaction if the upper bar is not in intimate contact with the teeth

Lingual bar with continuous bar

(cingulum bar)

Lingual bar with continuous bar

(cingulum bar)

IV-Lingual plate
Indications:
1-When the functional depth of the lingual vestibule
(less than 5 mm) is not enough for bar placement,
2-When future loss of natural teeth is anticipated to
facilitate addition of artificial teeth to the partial
denture.
3- when splinting of anterior teeth is required.
4- When lingual tori are present.

Design:
1-It consists of a pear shaped lingual bar with a thin
metal extending upward from the superior border
of the bar onto the lingual surfaces of the teeth
above the cingula and survey lines
2-ln extension base partial denture the lingual plates
should have a rest on each side to prevent labial
movement of the teeth.
3- There should be adequate blockout and relief of
the soft tissue undercuts, undercuts in the proximal
areas of the teeth, the free gingival margins and
the pear shaped bar.

Advantages:
1-The most rigid mandibular major connector.
2- It gives indirect retention to the partial denture.
3-Deflect food from impacting on lingual tissues.
4-Provide resistance against horizontal or lateral
forces.
5- Permits the replacement of lost tooth without
remaking the partial denture.
6-Help in splinting and prevent super-eruption of the
anterior teeth.

Disadvantages:
Covers more tooth and gingival tissues than other
mandibular major connectors.

Interrupted linguoplate in presence

of interproximal space

Interrupted linguoplate in presence

of interproximal space

V-Labial bar
Indications:
1- When the mandibular teeth are so severely inclined lingually as to prevent the use of
lingual major connector.
2- When large lingual tori exist and their removal is containdicated.

Design:
1- It is a half pear shaped bar, runs across the mucosa labial to the anterior teeth .
2-Labial vestibule should be adequate to allow the superior border to be place at leas 3mm
below the free gingival margins.
3-Reliefis required beneath the bar.

Advantages:
It solves the problem of severely inclined teeth and avoids surgical intervention to remove a
large torus.

Disadvantages:
1-It tends to lack rigidity since it is considerably longer than a lingual bar.
2- The least comfortable mandibular major connector.

Labial bar

MINOR CONNECTORS
Definition:
A minor connector is a rigid component that
links the major connector or base and other
components of the partial denture such as
rests, indirect retainers and clasps.

Functions:
1- Transmit forces to the abutment teeth.
2-Transfer the effect of retainers, rests and stabilizing
components to the rest of the denture.

Design specifications:
1-Should have sufficient thickness for rigidity.
2-Should exhibit minimal gingival coverage; the lingual
minor connector should cross the gingival margins
directly, joining the major connector at rounded right
angle,
3-Slight relief is required when crossing the gingival margin
especially in tooth-mucosa borne dentures.
4-Should be highly polished to minimize plaque
accumulation.
5-Should be located at least 5mm from other vertical
components