major connectors / academy of fixed orthodontics

INDIAN DENTAL ACADEMY
Leader in continuing dental education
www.indiandentalacademy.com

Each component of the prosthesis has a
name that is most often descriptive of its
function. A major connector, for example,
does exactly what its name implies. The
first reported used of a major connector was
in 1728 by Pierre Fauchard.

IDEAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE
MAJOR CONNECTOR
1. It should be rigid.
2. It should not impinge on free gingival
margin and other soft tissues.
3. The borders should be parallel to the mean marginal
gingival line and if any crossover it should be at right
angle.
4. Should not allow food lodgment beneath it.

5. Should provide vertical support (Maxilla),
for the RPD.
6. Should provide indirect retention when
needed (Mandible).
7. Should enable to place the denture bases
where required.
8. Should be comfortable to the patient.
9.Should be made with a material, which
is biocompatible.

1. Single palatal strap.
2. Anterior-posterior palatal strap
3. Palatal plate type connector.
3. Anterior-posterior palatal bar
4. Single palatal bar
5. “U”shaped palatal connector.
TYPES OF MAXILLARY MAJOR CONNECTORS

1. Lingual bar.
2. Linguo plate
3. Sublingual bar
4. Lingual bar with cingulum bar
5. Cingulum bar
6. Labial bar.
TYPES OF MANDIBULAR MAJOR CONNECTORS

Anatomical and Structural Factors to be
Considered While Designing Mandibular Major
Connectors
 Minimal support form the residual ridges so
“indirect retention” is needed to achieve stability.
 Less surface area for the major connector.
 More movable tissues in the mandibular arch.
 The shape of the basal bone in the
anterolingual region i.e. lingual sulcus area.

 Level of the lingual frenum and its mobility.
 Relief is frequently required for mandibular
arch.
 Beading is contraindicated.
 Esthetics to be considered in case of large
interproximal spaces.

The selection of a major connector is not a
difficult procedure if the dentist considers two
important factors :
The First is the degree to which the removable
partial denture must be supported by
structures other than the natural teeth.

The second is the degree of rigidity required
of the major connector to adequately
distribute functional stresses from one side
of the arch to the other.

PRIMARY FACTORSPRIMARY FACTORS
Support
Support for the maxillary major connector is
partly dependent upon the hard palate.
The greater the coverage of the hard palate,
the greater the support received from the
palate.

Thus, the “ snowshoe’’ principle is in effect
in that the stress load is distributed over a
large area, and the force per unit area is
reduced.
Unfortunately, support similar to that
derived from the palate cannot be obtained
from the mandibular removable partial
denture.

RigidityRigidity
Rigidity of a maxillary major connector is
enhanced by the joining of the anterior and
posterior bars to from a circle.
This union makes the major connector more
than twice as rigid as each bar would be
individually.

Additional rigidity is obtained by use of the
“ L’’ beam effect, i.e., metal lying in two
different planes.
For the mandibular major connector,
encirclement cannot be accomplished.
However, acceptable rigidity is obtained by
thickening the inferior border of the lingual bar
or plate.

When considering support and rigidity, Table above will act as a guide
for the selection of maxillary and mandibular major connectorswww.indiandentalacademy.com

A mouth in which the teeth and supporting structuresA mouth in which the teeth and supporting structures
are periodontally diseased might serve as aare periodontally diseased might serve as a typicaltypical
exampleexample for the selection of a maxillary majorfor the selection of a maxillary major
connector.connector.
TheThe periodontally diseased mouth requires aperiodontally diseased mouth requires a rigidrigid
major connectormajor connector that permitsthat permits optimum palatal supportoptimum palatal support..

Therefore, the major connector should be
modified so as to distribute the stress over
as broad a palatal surface as practicable.

Other considerations for selecting a major connector might be:
 Whether the removable partial denture is opposed by an
artificial denture.
 Whether the residual ridge tissues are firm or movable.
 Whether the remaining natural occlusion is heavy or weak.
 Whether tori are present.
 Whether the residual ridges are resorbed.
 Whether the tissues of the floor of the mouth are attached
high or low.

This is a preferred connector because:
It may be used for most designs
Distributes masticatory stress over a wide
area
May be made wide or narrow depending upon
the desired stress distribution.

A narrow strap (minimum of 8 mm) may be used for all
tooth-supported removable partial dentures. The width of
the strap should be increased for distal extension bases

This strap may be used for most maxillary
partial denture designs and especially when
a torus is present.
It has the effect of a circle, and the ‘‘L’’
beam effect is present.

Anterior and posterior bars (straps) should be at
least 8 mm in width

This connector may be used for bilateral
distal extension partial dentures of a long
span and may be used in combination with
plastic resin

This connector may be used where support
is not a major consideration; bars are too
narrow for adequate Support (usually less
than 8 mm in width)

This bar may be used for tooth-borne partial
dentures only since it lacks rigidity and
provides minimum support.

This connector is very poor, because it is
flexible with buccolingual movement
occurring at the open ends.
However, it may be used where a midline
suture or a inoperable palatal tori exists.

It should be used whenever possible.
It permits exposure of gingival tissues to
normal stimulation, and the superior margin
should be located at least 3 mm from the
gingival margins

The lingual plate must be used when a high
lingual frenum or the floor of the mouth
prevents the use of a lingual bar.
It may be used in combination with a labial bar
for splinting.
Terminal tooth rests should be used to provide
a vertical stop at each end of the linguoplate to
prevent labial movement of teeth.

Carr et al.,-Mc CRACKEN’S REMOVABLE PARTIAL
PROSTHODONTICS
John F Bates - PARTIAL DENTURES
Osborne- REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES
Stewart - REMOVABLE PARTIAL PROSTHODONTICS
Miller - REMOVABLE PARTIAL PROSTHODONTICS

For more details please visit
www.indiandentalacademy.co
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major connectors / academy of fixed orthodontics

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major connectors / academy of fixed orthodontics