5. Major and Minor Connectors Flashcards
Functions of
Major Connectors
• ____
• ____-distribution
unification
stress
Requirements of Major Connectors
• Must not impinge on the free gingival ____
• Their borders must be at least ____ mm away in maxillary arch and ____ mm away in the mandibular arch.
• Minor connectors should cross gingival margins at ____ angles to allow maximum freedom of gingival tissues
margin
6
3
right
Requirements of Major Connectors
• Relief- between metal and soft tissues where major connector crosses a gingival margin
– under a ____ major connector generally not required
____ contact enhances support, retention and stability of the PRDP.
• required under a ____ major connector
small space prevents ____, irritation or ulceration of the lingual mucosa
maxillary
initimate
mandibular
laceration
Requirements of Major Connectors
• Be ____
• Provide ____ support & protect the soft
tissue
• Allow for ____ retention
• Allow for positioning of denture bases where needed
• Maintain patient ____
• Compatible with oral tissues
• Non-____ and non-irritating to the tongue
rigid vertical indirect comfort interfering
Requirements of Major Connectors
• No impingement of ____ tissues
• Not cover more tissue than absolutely ____
• Not contribut et o trapping ____ particles
• Have borders running ____ to the gingival margin
oral
necessary
food
parallel
Requirements of Major Connectors
• Cross gingival margin at ____ angles
• Be ____ and cross palate in a straight line
right
symmetric
Requirements of
Major Connectors
• Avoid crossing bony ____ (torus palatinus)
• Not interfere with ____ or phonetics
• In maxillary arch, borders of the connector should be at least ____mm from the gingival margin; in the mandibular arch, they should be ____mm from the gingival margin
prominences
speech
6
3
Maxillary Major Connector
- All borders should run ____ to the gingival margin
- Minor connectors should cross gingival margin at ____ angles
- The posterior border of the maxillary major connector should not extend onto the ____ tissue
parallel
right
movable
Beading the Final Cast
• The borders of the maxillary major connector should be ____
–
scoring a rounded groove approx. ____ mm wide and deep at the free borders of the major connector where there is displaceable tissue using a discoid cleoid or a 7A spatula; should ____ off as it approaches the marginal gingiva of the abutment teeth)
beaded
0.5
taper
Beading the Final Cast
• Creates a tight ____ and prevents food collection under the major connector and reduces patient awareness of the prosthesis
- Provides ____ contact with underlying tissues and a visible finish line for the casting.
- Creates a seal at the interface of the metal framework and tissues that translates to an ____ on the framework
seal
positive
elevation
Generally the type of major connector will be dictated by the number and location of ____ areas
** as well as the level of ____ of the residual ridges and the ____ of the abutment teeth
edentulous
resorption
prognosis
– Note: a strap- type connector is distinguished from a bar-type connector which is ____ and ____ (bulkier)
narrower
thicker
Single (Posterior) Palatal Bar
A single palatal bar is “A ____ connector that crosses the palate and is characterized by being relatively ____ anterior-posteriorly”
major
narrow
Single Palatal Bar
It’s A-P dimension is less than ____ mm wide and for adequate cross-arch distribution of stress, it must have concentrated bulk
Is often too ____ and flexible or too ____ and objectionable to the patient’s tongue
8
thin
bulky
Single Palatal Bar: Contraindications
• In patients who have difficulty ____ to an PRDP (because it has added thickness and bulk for rigidity)
• In ____ extension edentulous situations because there is more movement of the prosthesis and there is little support from the palate
• When ____ teeth require replacement (bulk interferes with speech if placed anteriorly)
adjusting
distal
anterior
Single Palatal Bar: Disadvantages
- Minimum ____ support from the palate and mostly supported by ____ on remaining teeth
- Is indicated for tooth- supported PRDP and should be used in situations where we are replacing one or two teeth on each side of the arch; we need to have teeth both ____ and ____ to the edentulous space
- The single palatal bar also interferes with ____ action if placed more anteriorly than second ____ position
vertical rests anterior posterior tongue premolar
Single Palatal Bar
• In order for this major connector to be sufficiently rigid, it will be too ____ and will interfere with the ____ and with speech
bulky
tongue
Single Palatal Strap (Posterior Palatal Strap )
“A maxillary major connector having an anterior/posterior dimension of ____ mm that directly or obliquely traverses the palate and is generally located in the area of the ____ and ____” (GPT, 1999
8-12
second premolar
first molar
- A wide, flat, thin band of metal that crosses the palate
- Should not be less than ____ mm wide
- Its ____ increases as the edentulous space increases in length
- Provides good support, stress distribution and rigidity
8
width
Single Palatal Strap: Indications
Note: The most ____ maxillary major connector
- ____-borne PRDP restoring unilateral and bilateral edentulous areas of ____ span when residual ridges are ____ and abutments are strong
- Tooth-mucosa borne (Kennedy Class ____) when minimal palatal support is required
versatile tooth short good I & II
Single Palatal Strap: Advantages
- Greater ____ with less bulk of metal compared to the single palatal bar
- It is inherently strong and can be kept thin
- Increased patient ____ since A-P dimension is small
- Little interference to tongue action
- It distributes stress to a broad area
- It offers good retention through forces of ____ and ____ by the contact between metal and soft tissue
Note:
Main disadvantage is that there is some patient complaint of excessive ____
rigidity comfort adhesion cohesion palatal coverage
U-Shaped Palatal Strap (Horseshoe-Shaped or Anterior Palatal Strap)
Indications
• If a large inoperable palatal ____ is present and extends to the posterior limit of the hard palate
• For replacement of anterior teeth (Kennedy IV), ____ teeth or a combination of anterior and posterior teeth but should only be used when another type of major connector cannot be used
• For patients who are severe ____
torus
posterior
gaggers
U-Shaped Palatal Strap
• A thin band of metal about ____ mm wide and symmetrical
• Is placed ____ mm from gingival margins
• Its borders are ____ and smooth and are placed in valleys of rugae
Disadvantages:
- It lacks ____
- The design fails to provide good support characteristics
- The metal must be ____ to enhance rigidity in the rugae area and interferes with phonetics and patient comfort
- It has the tendency to spread ____ as occlusal forces are applied to it, resulting in lateral forces to abutment teeth
6-8
6
curved
rigidity
bulkier
apart
U-Shaped Palatal Strap
Because it has a lot of disadvantages, the u-shaped palatal strap is the least ____ design of all connectors
favorable
U-Shaped Palatal Strap
A poor choice for ____ extension partial dentures because movement of the prosthesis not only causes trauma to the abutment teeth but also to the ____
distal
residual ridge
U-Shaped Palatal Strap
Main advantage: is indicated where an inoperable ____ exists or a hard median ____ is present
torus
suture line
Anteroposterior Palatal
Strap: Indications
• ____ teeth are to be replaced
• A ____ palatinus is present
• Remaining abutment teeth have good ____ support
• Large amounts of ____ support not required
• Patient objects to ____ amount of palatal coverage
• For patients with a large inoperable palatal torus
numerous
torus
periodontal
large
Anteroposterior Palatal Strap: Contraindications
- Reduced ____ support of abutment teeth
- A ____ narrow vault is present (phonetics)
periodontal
high
Anteroposterior Palatal Strap: Characteristics
• The anterior bar is ____ and thin with no ____ on incisive papilla
• The posterior bar is placed as far ____ as possible on the hard palate
• The A-P dimension of opening is at least ____ mm so the A-P dimension of edentulous space has to be large enough to use this connector
broad
impingement
posteriorly
15
Anteroposterior Palatal
Strap: Advantages
- Is structurally the most ____ palatal connector
- Derives good support from the palate
- It is strong and resistant to flexing
- ____ contour of metal over rugae adds strength to connector and allows the metal to be made thinner
- Has ____ thickness
- Can be used in any maxillary PRDP (in all ____ Kennedy classifications)
- Is the least ____ connector to the patient and least ____ to adjacent tissues
rigid corrugated (irregular) uniform four objectionable harmful
Anteroposterior Palatal Strap: Disadvantages
1. It may Interfere with ____ because of metal over the rugae
2. Less ____ than the posterior palatal strap because of limited
palatal tissue contact
phonetics
support
Complete Palatal Plate: Indications
• In all Kennedy classifications
1. When posterior teeth are to be replaced ____ (long span)
2. When anterior teeth require replacement along with bilateral ____ extension replacements
3. When maximum support and stress distribution from ____ is needed
bilaterally
distal
hard palate
Complete Palatal Plate: Characteristics
Is thin and offers broad palatal coverage while reproducing the contours of the patient’s palate
Anterior border kept ____ mm from gingival margin
Posterior border extends to junction of ____ palate
Provides most ____ coverage
Can be made in the form of : \_\_\_\_ resin Combination of \_\_\_\_ and acrylic resin All cast \_\_\_\_
6
soft and hard
tissue
acrylic
metal
metal
Complete Palatal Plate: Advantages
• Offers extra support against ____ displacement when heavy occlusal forces are anticipated
• Offers excellent stabilization when flat or ____ ridges or a ____ vault is present
• Enhances the ____ of temperature changes
• Has excellent rigidity
vertical
flabby
shallow
transfer
Complete Palatal Plate: Disadvantages
• ____ or ____ with inadequate oral hygiene
inflammation
hyperplasia
Speech Bulb Prosthesis
We can use these for patients who have ____
cleft palates
Modified Palatal Plate
We are looking at the Kennedy class 2. We do not have symmetry here because we are going into an embrasure clasp to provide retention on the tooth supoorted side This opens up more \_\_\_\_
tissue
Characteristcs of Major Connectors
- Anterior palatal strap
Support: ____
Rigidity: ____ - Posterior palatal strap
Support: ____
Rigidity: ____ - Anteroposterior palatal strap
Support: ____
Rigidity: ____ - Posterior palatal bar
Support: ____
Rigidity: ____ - Complete palatal plate
Support: ____
Rigidity: ____ - Modified palatal plate
Support: ____
Rigidity: ____
poor
poor
good
good
good
excellent
poor
good
excellent
excellent
excellent
excellent
Mandibular Major Connectors • Lingual bar • Sublingual bar • Lingual plate • Continuous bar (Kennedy bar; Double lingual bar; Cingulum bar) • Labial bar
let’s get it!
Lingual Bar : Advantages/Indications
• The most ____ used and simplest mandibular major connector
• Allows ____ contact with oral tissues; exposure of gingival tissues
• Has the highest patient ____
• Indicated when the functional depth of the lingual vestibule is = to or > than ____ mm and when ____ is desired
frequently minimal acceptance 7 gingival exposure
Lingual Bar: Requirements
- Need at least ____ mm of vertical space between the active tissues of the floor of the mouth and the gingival margins of the teeth because it should be above movable tissues (vestibule must be 7mm in depth)
- The superior border of the bar is at least ____ mm from the gingival margin
- The inferior border should allow freedom of ____ of tissues of floor of the mouth
7
3
movement
Lingual Bar
The Disadvantage of the lingual bar is the potential for the bar not to be ____
rigid
Lingual Bar Major Connector
• Surgical removal of mandibular ____ is required for a successful prognosis
• The bar should not be positioned over an ____ area of the lingual surface of the ridge
tori
undercut
Lingual Bar Position and Size
• In cross section, the lingual bar is a ____ shaped
• The thinner portion is located ____
• The broadest portion should be in the ____ 1/3 and it should be ____mm thick anteroposteriorly
• Superior-inferior dimension is ____mm
• The inferior border should be slightly ____ so it does not impinge on the lingual tissue when the denture base is rotated inferiorly under occlusal load
• The intaglio surface of this major connector stands slightly ____ from the tissue because it is relieved from the tissue
half-pear superiorly inferior 2 4 rounded away
Lingual Bar Position and Size
The lingual bar requires a functional ____ to accurately register the lingual vestibule position and contour
impression
Lack of Relief and Poor Positioning of Lingual Bar
Here you see that an inadequate relief or distance from the free gingival margins may result in acute and irreversible adverse tissue response including loss of ____
crestal alveolar
Sublingual Bar
Position and Size
• Is similar to a lingual bar except that it lies flat at the ____ of the mouth
floor
Sublingual bar: indications
- A ____ lingual vestibule ie. when the functional depth of the lingual vestibule is in the ____ mm range
- Gingival ____ contraindicating use of a lingual bar
- When gingival exposure is desired and a lingual bar cannot be used because of ____ space (less than 7 mm)
Note: we still need at least ____ mm of space from the superior border of the sublingual bar to the gingival margin
shallow 5-7 recession inadequate 3
Sublingual Bar
A sublingual bar used posterior to the ____ because of lack of adequate distance between the gingival margin and floor of the mouth
incisors
Sublingual Bar
The superior border of the sublingual bar should be located at least ____ mm from the gingival margins of all adjacent teeth
A periodontal probe is used to measure the functional depth of the floor of the mouth. The tip of the tongue should be placed ____ in contact with the center of the ____ while taking this measurement
3
lightly
palate
Sublingual Bar
A ____ mm functional depth of the lingual vestibule is an indication for a sublingual bar which is essentially a lingual bar rotated ____°
Height = ____ mm
Anteroposterior width = ____ mm
6
45-90
2
3-4
Lingual Plate : Indications
• The functional depth of lingual vestibule is < ____ mm (insufficient space for lingual bar) as a result of a ____ lingual frenum
• Most posterior teeth have been ____ and need for additional indirect retention exists
• There is loss of most of the ____ support of remaining teeth and there is a need for ____ and directing the forces along the long axis of the teeth
5 high lost periodontal splinting
Lingual Plate : Indications
• Future ____ if natural teeth is anticipated in order to facilitate addition of artificial teeth in the PRDP (lab tech adds teeth to prosthesis)
• Presence of inoperable mandibular lingual ____
• Favorable prior experience with lingual plate
• Unfavorable experience with lingual bar
• Effective ____(needed only if a distinct arc is present in anterior mandible)
loss
tori
indirect retention
Lingual Plate
• Has to be supported ____ at each end of span by a rest
• A special design can be used to avoid display of ____ through the diastema between teeth
• Borders should be as ____ as possible
• Contours should follow lingual tooth contours; plate is not just a f lat plate; it is ____ at the interproximal region
minimally
metal
thin
indented
Lingual Plate
• Minimally, there should be rest seats placed on the ____ teeth ie. 22 and 27 otherwise the entire prosthesis can slip tissue-ward and place a facially directed force on these teeth
• Preferable rest seats should be prepared on all remaining ____
posterior abutment
teeth
Lingual Plate: Advantages
• Can be used when incisors have lost much ____ support and have poor prognosis but may provide service for a time ie. you are anticipating future loss of teeth
• It is the most ____ mandibular connector
• It offers more support and ____ than other connectors
• It may prevent or minimize ____ of anterior teeth
• The lingual plate has the advantage of good rigidity and support
periodontal
rigid
stabilization
extrusion
Lingual Plate: Disadvantages
• ____ of enamel
• ____ of soft tissue
• Covers more ____ and gingival tissues than other mandibular major connectors
decalcification
irritation
tooth
Lingual Plate – Note: Relief
• The inferior portion is shaped like a ____
• The superior portion extends on the ____ surfaces of the remaining anterior teeth
• There is ____ between the plate and the soft tissue
lingual bar
cingulum
relief
Lingual Plate - No Rest Seats; Tissue Damage
There can be irreversible tissue loss if the plate settles into the ____. This can happen if a rest fractures or if no rest seats are prepared in the teeth
gingival tissues
Lingual Plate/Rests Promote Splinting Effect
In conjunction with the rests on each abutment tooth, the lingual plate may promote ____ of the remaining teeth
splinting
ingual Plate –
Rest Seats on 22,27
Ideally we would like to have rest seats prepared on all these anterior teeth or minimally on the ____ to prevent the prosthesis from slipping towards the tissue and placing a ____ or ____ directed force upon these teeth
22 and #27
labial
buccally
Lingual Plate; No Rest Seats
Lack of rests on terminal abutment teeth can cause ____ movement of teeth such that the teeth end up moving away from the plate and not ____ it at all
facial
contacting
Continuous Bar
• Two bars joined by ____ connectors at each end of upper bar
• The lower bar is nothing more than a ____
– Half-pear shaped in cross-section and is ____ superiorly
– The superior border of the bar is at least ____ mm from the gingival margins
– The inferior border should allow freedom of ____ of tissues of f loor of the mouth
– Superior-inferior dimension is ____mm; width is ____mm
minor lingual bar thinner 3 movement 4 2
Continuous Bar
• Upper bar is ____ mm high; ____mm thick
• Rests are placed at each end of ____ bar
• The upper bar is well- hidden from view and is located on the ____ of the anterior teeth
2-3
1
upper
cingula
Continuous Bar: Indications
- A ____ cannot be placed and a lingual plate is indicated but there are large interproximal ____ which can cause esthetic problems by display of metal of lingual plate
- Axial inclinations of teeth require excessive ____ of interproximal undercuts (e.g. when teeth are rotated)
lingual bar
embrasures
blockout
Continuous bar
• Advantages:
– It extends in ____ retention in an anterior direction
– It distributes forces to all ____ (so the load on each tooth is reduced)
– Allows for exposure and ____ stimulation of gingiva
• Disadvantages:
– Can cause ____
– More tongue ____ than with lingual plate
indirect
teeth
natural
food trap
annoyance
Characteristics of major connectors
- Lingual Bar
Support: ____
Rigidity: ____ - Lingual Plate
Support: ____
Rigidity: ____ - Sublingual Bar
Support: ____
Rigidity: ____ - Labial Bar
Support: ____
Rigidity: ____
none
good
none
good-excellent
none
good-excellent
none
poor
Minor Connectors
“the connecting link between the ____ connector or base of a removable partial denture and the other units of the prosthesis, such as the ____, indirect retainers, occlusal rests, or cingulum rests” (GPT, 1999)
major
clasp assembly
Functions of Minor Connectors
• To transfer functional stress to the ____ teeth
• To transfer the effect of the retainers, rests, and stabilizing components to the rest of the ____
abutment
denture
Four Types of Minor Connectors
1. Join a ____ to the major connector
2. Those that join an ____ or a secondary
rest to the major connector
3. Those that join the denture base to the ____
4. And those that serve as an approach arm for a ____ projection or bar-type clasp
clasp assembly
indirect retainer
major connector
vertical projection
Minor Connectors Joining Clasp Assembly To The Major Connector
• _ (to support retentive clasp and the rest)
• Sufficient _
• At _ surfaces adjacent to edentulous areas
• In _ between two teeth
• _ B-L but _ M-D
rigid bulk proximal embrasures broad thin
Minor Connectors Joining Indirect Retainers Or Secondary Rests To Major Connector
- Generally arise from the ____ connector
- Should form a ____ angle with the major connector
- Junction should be a gentle ____
- Should lie in the ____ between teeth to disguise its bulk
major
right
curve
embrasure
Minor Connectors Joining
Denture Base To Major Connector
• Strong, ____; minimal interference with arrangement of artificial teeth
• Latticework construction
– Used whenever ____ teeth are to be replaced;
– Provides strongest attachment of ____ base to the PRDP)
– Easiest to ____
• Mesh construction
– ____ to pack acrylic resin
• Bead, wire, or nail-head
– Used with a ____ base
rigid
multiple
acrylic denture
reline
difficult
metal
Minor Connectors Serving As An Approach Arm For Bar Type Clasp
• Only minor connector that is not required to be ____
• Supports direct retainers from ____ (approaches
from gingival margin)
• ____, even taper from origin to its terminus
• Must not cross a ____ undercut
rigid
below
smooth
soft tissue
1.5 mm Thickness
•Where the minor connector joins a rest a minimum metal thickness of ____ mm at the junction is required for base metal alloys
•a potential for fracture of the rest exists as well as the resulting destructive settling of the PRDP into the gingival tissues
1.5
