Prosthetics 4 - Saddles and Connectors

Question 1

acrylic denture - 2 advantages?

Answer 1

• low cost

- easily modified

Question 2

acrylic denture - indications?

Answer 2

• where life expectancy of denture is short
• if additions are likely to happen
• where there are few remaining teeth

Question 3

cobalt chromium based dentures - advantages?

Answer 3

• strong and rigid in thin section
• less bulky
• more hygienic if properly designed (covers less tissue)

Question 4

cobalt chromium based dentures - disadvantages?

Answer 4

• more expensive
• difficult to add to
• requires accurate impression

Question 5

general aim of prosthodontic treatment?

Answer 5

construct an appliance which is:

• stable
• retentive
• does not damage oral tissues

Question 6

what is a saddle and what does it carry?

Answer 6

it is part of the partial denture which carries the artificial teeth and replaces lost tissue

Question 7

what is a free-ended saddle?

Answer 7

a saddle with a single abutment tooth at the mesial end of the saddle

Question 8

what is a critical abutment tooth? (what happens when it is lost?)

Answer 8

a tooth that turns a bounded saddle into a free-ended one if lost e.g. lone posterior molar

Question 9

design of saddles:

extension - what does it allow?

Answer 9

allows the spread of the load onto the mucosal surfaces

Question 10

design of saddles:

shape of polished surface - what happens if it’s bulbous or when it’s concave?

Answer 10

bulbous polished surface: not retentive

concave polished surface: allows cheek and tongue to rest properly

Question 11

design of saddles:

what are the types of flange designs?

Answer 11

• full
• part
• flangeless

Question 12

implications of flangeless denture?

Answer 12

it is gum fitted, therefore the tooth sits directly on the ridge
this will cause it to lose its retention properties

Question 13

what is a connector? what are the 2 general types?

Answer 13

a part of the partial denture which unites other components

- can be major or minor

Question 14

what is a major connector?

what are the materials it can be made of?

Answer 14

a plate or bar which:

• unites partial denture saddles
• provides bracing
• provides indirect retention
• acts as a splint: holds things in place

can be made of acrylic, cobalt chromium, gold (rarely)

Question 15

what are some major connectors for lower partial dentures?

Answer 15

• lingual plate (co/cr)
• dental bar
• lingual bar
• split lingual plate (for when there are gaps in teeth)
• swinglock denture

Question 16

major connectors for upper partial dentures?

Answer 16

• base plate: maximum palatal coverage. can be acrylic or co/cr
• spoon denture/t-denture
• anterior palatal bar (can have horseshoe connector)
• mid palatal bar
• posterior palatal bar

Question 17

what will be required when there is a free-ended and bounded saddle in one denture?

Answer 17

more extensive coverage: needs more palatal coverage and support

Question 18

sectional maxillary dentures: what is the safety issue?

Answer 18

it is a tiny denture that replaces one missing tooth; therefore there is a risk that it be inhaled or swallowed by patient

Question 19

what is a minor connector?

Answer 19

the connecting component between the major connector or base of a partial denture and other units such as clasps and rests

Question 20

what needs to be considered for connector design?

Answer 20

occlusion needs to be considered; articulated casts required, shows how upper & lower jaw meet together

Question 21

what needs to be done if the space for occlusion is tight? what is an example of this?

Answer 21

• modifications need to be carried out, such as the placement of a striking plate; can be cast to fit patient’s mouth