4. RPD Design - Support Flashcards
Definition of saddle
Edentulous area
Definition of flange
Replacement tissue, extending from the gingival margin to the vestibular sulcus
Definition of denture base
Connector
Definition of support (2)
Term used to describe the resistance of a denture to occlusally directed load
Resistance to vertical force directed towards the mucosa
Options for resisting movement towards tissue (2)
Utility of hard tissue
Large surface coverage
Function of utilising hard tissue
Prevents/resists movement
Function of large surface coverage
Distributes load over a wide area
You may have to utilise soft tissues when spreading the load
Definition of Kennedy classification
Anatomical classification that describes the number and distribution of edentulous areas present
It does not describe the type of support required
Types and explanations of Kennedy classification (4)
Class I - bilateral free-end saddle
Class II - unilateral free-end saddle
Class III - unilateral bounded saddle
Class IV - anterior bounded saddle (crossing the midline)
A modification to each saddle can be made depending on the number of additional edentulous saddles (class IV cannot be modified)
Most posterior saddle defines the classification
Definition of Craddock classification
Provides a simple classification based on support for a removal partial denture
It only gives the type of support and does not tell anything about the number or distribution of teeth
Types of Craddock classification (3)
Class I - tooth (teeth provide a hard tissue resistance to occlusal loading)
Class II - mucosa (a large coverage provides resistance to occlusal loading)
Class III - tooth and mucosa (a combination of hard tissue and large coverage when there are reduced number of teeth and large edentulous saddles)
Principles of hard surface and load distribution (3)
Class 1 - teeth embedded within bone (periodontium) with root area providing a wide distribution of load (hard)
Class 2 - showing a small area for distributing load, therefore not the best choice for support
Class 3 - the edentulous area is known as a free-end saddle. Limited number of teeth mean that mucosal coverage with a wide distribution is required
Features of tooth support (5)
Transmits load via the periodontal membrane
Allows the supported denture base to fell like the natural dentition
Is more comfortable for the patient
Protects the soft tissue from trauma
Is likely to stay in close contact with its supporting structures over a period of time
Features of mucosal support (2)
Must cover as large an area as possible (reduction of occlusal table)
Allows the denture base to move slightly (possible damage to adjacent gingival margins)
Features of a healthy tooth load (2)
Potentially its own load plus one and a half similar teeth
The best teeth for providing support are those with the largest root area (depending on the health of the periodontal attachment)