This presentation specifically deals with the maxillary and mandibular Major connectors used in a cast partial denture. it also mentions the uses, advantages and disadvantages of each,

1. Major Connectors
Presented by :
Apurva Thampi
1

2. Contents
Introduction
Major connectors
Role of major connectors
Types of maxillary major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Types of Mandibular major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Recent advances
Conclusion
References
2

3. Introduction
Name of components – descriptive of
function
Components
Major
connectors
Minor
connector
Rests
Direct
retainer
Indirect
retainer
Denture
base
3

4. Contents
Introduction
Major connectors
Role of major connectors
Types of maxillary major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Types of Mandibular major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Recent advances
Conclusion
References
4

5. Major connectors
A major connector joins the components of
the removable partial denture from one side of
the arch to the opposite side
5

6. Contents
Introduction
Major connectors
Role of major connectors
Types of maxillary major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Types of Mandibular major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Recent advances
Conclusion
References
6

7. Role of major connectors
Be rigid
Protect the associated soft tissue
Provide means for obtaining indirect
retention
Provide a means of placement of denture
base
Promote patient comfort
Self cleansing
7

8. Rigidity :
Permits broad distribution of
forces
Protect soft tissue:
Maxillary connector – 6mm
from marginal gingiva
Mandibular connector –
3mm from marginal gingiva
8

9. Provide means of
indirect retention:
By use of indirect retainers,
rotation around the fulcrum
line can be prevented
Promote patient
comfort:
Edges should be contoured
9

10. Major connector is based on the
principle of leverage
10
It will limit movement possibilities by acting
as a counter-acting lever
CROSS-ARCH STABILITY

11. Major
connectors
11

12. Requirements of maxillary major
connectors
Borders – 6mm from gingival margins
Anterior border should blend with the
palatal anatomy
Borders should cross the margins at right
angles
Palatal strap – 8mm wide
Open central connectors – medial borders
should be located at the junction of
horizontal and vertical surfaces
12

13. Thickness of the plate should be uniform
Borders should be gently curved
Intaglio surface should not be highly
polished
13

14. Contents
Introduction
Major connectors
Role of major connectors
Types of maxillary major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Types of Mandibular major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Recent advances
Conclusion
References
14

15. Types of Maxillary major
connectors
• Palatal bar
• Palatal strap
• Antero-posterior palatal bar
• Horse-shoe shaped
• Antero-posterior palatal
strap
• Complete palate
6 types of
maxillary
major
connectors
15

16. Palatal bar
16

17. Narrow, half oval
Thickest point at the centre
Gentle curved and should not form an
angle
Indications
 class III (short span)
application
17

18. 18
*Palatal bar has few
advantages and
should be avoided
*Bulky – causes
discomfort to the
patient
*Narrow antero-
posterior width
Advantage/Disadvantage

19. Palatal strap
19

20. Most versatile
Band of metal with a thin cross-sectional
dimension
A-P dimension should not be less than
8mm
20

21. Width should be increased with the length
of the edentulous span
Indication
Kennedy’s class II
21

22. 22
*Increased resistance
to bending and
twisting forces
*can be kept thin
*little interference with
normal tongue action
*increased tissue
coverage
*Excessive palatal
coverage
* Anterior border
should be positioned
posterior to rugae
* Prone to papillary
hyperplasia
Advantage/Disadvantage

23. Antero-posterior palatal bar
23

24. Palatal bar + palatal strap
2 bars joined by a flat longitudinal
element
24

25. Advantage/Disadvantage
*Rigid
*Minimises soft tissue
coverage
*Provides exceptional
resistance to
deformation
*Uncomfortable
*Bulky
*Derives little support
from bony tissue
*Contraindication –
reduced periodontal
support
25

26. Horse shoe connector
26

27. Consists of a thin band of metal
Lingual surface of remaining teeth to
palatal tissue – 6-8 mm
Should be symmetrical – equal height
on both sides
27

28. Advantage/Disadvantage
*Strong connector
*Derives some
vertical support from
tissues of hard palate
*Designed to avoid
bony prominences
Tendency to deform
Does not provide
cross-arch
stabilisation
Should be considered
only if more rigid
connectors cannot be
used
28

29. Horse shoe major connector has a tendency to
Flex or deform. Hence it is not a good connector
When cross arch stabilization in required.
29

30. Antero-posterior palatal strap
30

31. Maximum usage
Each strap – 8mm width, thin cross-
section
Borders – 6mm from gingival margin
Posterior strap should not contact
soft palate
31

32. Advantage/Disadvantage
*Derives good
support from hard
tissues
*L-beam effect –
increases
resistance to
flexure
+Extensive length
of borders may
cause irritation to
the tongue
32

33. Complete palate
33

34. Provides ultimate rigidity and support
Maximum tissue coverage
Must be kept 6mm away from
gingival margins
Mechanical seal – presence of bead
line along posterior border
34

35. ADVANTAGES
All posterior teeth to be replaced
Remaining teeth are periodontally
compromised
Provides vertical support
Permits force distribution to the teeth as
well as the tissues
Comfortable
Coverage of multiple planes – L beam
effect 35

36. DISADVANTAGES
Adverse soft tissue reaction may occur
– soft tissue hyperplasia – poor oral
hygiene and prolonged periods of
denture wearing
36

37. Indications
Case Type of major connector
Weak periodontal support Wide palatal strap or complete
palate
Adequate periodontal support Palatal strap or A-P palatal strap
Long-span distal extension A-P palatal strap or complete
palate
Anterior teeth to be replaced A-P palatal strap, complete palate
or horseshoe major connector
Presence of torus A-P palatal strap, A-P palatal bar,
horse shoe connector
37

38. Design of maxillary major
connectors
:
Outline
primary
stress
bearing
areas
Outline
non
bearing
areas
Outline of
connector
areas
Selection
of
connector
type
Unification
38

39. Requirements of mandibular
major connectors
Rigid without being bulky
Must not impinge on the movable
floor of the mouth
Relief required between the rigid
metal connector and underlying
tissues
39

40. Contents
Introduction
Major connectors
Role of major connectors
Types of maxillary major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Types of Mandibular major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Recent advances
Conclusion
References
40

41. Types of mandibular major
connectors
• Lingual bar
• Lingual plate
• Double lingual
bar
• Labial bar
4 types of
mandibular
major
connectors
41

42. Lingual bar
42

43. Most frequently used
Cross-section – half pear shaped
Broadest portion near the floor of the
mouth
8mm space between gingival margin
and floor of the mouth
Presence of mandibular tori –
surgical removal
43

44. *Minimal contact with
remaining teeth
*Simple design
*Decreased plaque
accumulation
*Increased soft tissue
stimulation
*If care is not taken,
frame work may not be
rigid
*Too thin or too flexible
– concentration of
potentially destructive
forces on individual
teeth
44

45. Lingual plate
45

46. Half pear shaped – this solid piece of
metal extending from superior border
to lingual surfaces of teeth
Lingual border as low as possible -
avoid interferences with functional
movements
Plate must completely close the
interproximal surfaces
46

47. Superior border is knife-edged to
avoid “ledging”
Open embrasures or widely spaced
teeth – modification – “step back”
Metal should cross gingival margins
at right angles
To ensure rigidity – inferior border
should be made thicker
“Ledging” occurs when metal
margins are thick or linear
and provides unnatural
contours
“Step back” modification
requires the superior border
of the plate to cover the
cingulum of the individual
tooth
47

48. *Exceptional rigidity – des
not interfere with functional
movements
*Stabilize periodontally
weak teeth
*May provide additional
indirect retention
*If mandibular tori cannot be
removed, adequate relief
should be provided
*Extensive coverage –
decalcification of enamel
*Irritation of tissues in
patients with poor oral
hygiene
48

49. Double lingual bar
49

50. Lingual bar + lingual plate
Upper and lower borders are similar
to lingual plate
No continuous metal sheet
Upper bar – half oval cross-section
(2-3 mm height and 1mm thickness)
Two bars should be connected by
rigid minor connectors
50

51. Rests should be placed at each end
of the bar – no further posterior than
1st premolar
51

52. *Effectively
extends indirect
retention in an
anterior direction
*Free flow of
saliva – marginal
gingiva stimulation
Tendency to trap
debris
Uncomfortable –
multiple borders
and thickness
52

53. Labial bar
53

54. Runs across mucosa on facial
surface
Half pear shaped
Longer than lingual bar
Height and thickness must be greater
Successful treatment very limited
54

55. SWING LOCK MODIFICATION
Labial component does not serve as
major connector
Hinge at one end and locking device on
the other
Permits RPD to reach inaccessible
undercuts
55

56. Considered when
remaining major
connectors cannot be
used
*Patient acceptance is
poor-uncomfortable
*Bulk distorts the lower lip
*Labial vestibule not deep
enough to accommodate
a rigid connector without
encroaching on the
gingival margins
56

57. Indications
Tooth supported RPD Lingual bar
Insufficient room between floor of
mouth and gingival margins
Lingual plate
Anterior teeth with reduced
periodontal support
Lingual plate
Anterior teeth with reduced
periodontal support and large
interproximal spaces
Double lingual bar
Replacement of all mandibular
posteriors
Lingual plate
57

58. Design of mandibular major
connectors
I – outline basal seat area on the
diagnostic cast
II – outline inferior border of major
connnector
III – outline superior border of Major
connector
IV – unification
58

59. 59

60. Contents
Introduction
Major connectors
Role of major connectors
Types of maxillary major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Types of Mandibular major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Acrylic dentures
Recent advances
Conclusion
References 60

61. Acrylic dentures
Most commonly used
Indicated when the life of the denture
is expected to be less
Or if relining may be necessary
Weaker and less rigid than the metal
alloys - more likely to flex or fracture
during function.
61Connectors -J. C. Davenport, R.M.Basker, J. R. Heath, J. P. Ralph, PO. Glantz,
and P. Hammond (BDJ)

62. INDICATIONS
During the phase or rapid bone
resorption after tooth loss
When remaining teeth have poor
prognosis, and an extraction and
replacement is expected
Interim denture
In growing individuals
62Connectors -J. C. Davenport, R.M.Basker, J. R. Heath, J. P. Ralph, PO. Glantz,
and P. Hammond (BDJ)

63. Design for the replacement of one or two
anterior teeth in young
people is the 'spoon' denture. It reduces
gingival margin coverage to a
minimum, but a potential hazard is the
risk of inhalation or ingestion.
A more stable and therefore more
widely applicable design is the
modified spoon denture. Here one
has the choice of relying on frictional
contact between the connector and
the palatal surfaces of some of the
posterior teeth, or of adding wrought
wire clasps.
63Connectors -J. C. Davenport, R.M.Basker, J. R. Heath, J. P. Ralph, PO. Glantz,
and P. Hammond (BDJ)

64. Another acceptable design is the 'Every'
denture which can be used for
restoring multiple bounded edentulous
areas in the maxillary jaw.
Acrylic RPDs in the mandible often lack tooth-support making
tissue damage highly probable. Such RPDs should therefore
be avoided whenever possible.
64Connectors -J. C. Davenport, R.M.Basker, J. R. Heath, J. P. Ralph, PO. Glantz,
and P. Hammond (BDJ)

65. Contents
Introduction
Major connectors
Role of major connectors
Types of maxillary major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Types of Mandibular major connectors
Review of indications
Steps in Designing
Acrylic dentures
Recent advances
Conclusion
References 65

66. Recent advances
Recent work has shown that
CAD/CAM/RP technologies can be
successfully applied to the fabrication
of RPD alloy frameworks
66

67. 67

68. RPD framework using PEEK
68

69. To conclude….
69

70. Bibliography
 McCracken’s removable partial prosthodontics –
12th edition
 Stewarts removable partial prosthodontics – 4th
edition
 Partial dentures – John osborne and George
Lammie – 4th edition
 Connectors -J. C. Davenport, R.M.Basker, J. R. Heath, J. P.
Ralph, PO. Glantz, and P. Hammond (BDJ)
 Use of CAD/CAM technology to fabricate a
removable partial denture framework (R. J. Williams, BA,
PhD,a Richard Bibb, BSc, PhD,b Dominic Eggbeer, BSc,c and John Collis,
BDS) (JPD)
70

71. Thank you!!
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