Minor connectors

parts of rpd

1. MINOR CONNECTORS DR. SILPA ABRAHAM Ist MDS DEPT. OF PROSTHODONTICS

2. definition The connecting link between the major connector or base of a partial removable dental prosthesis and the other units of the prosthesis, such as the clasp assembly, indirect retainers, occlusal rests, or cingulum rests. - GPT 8

3. functions Join remaining components of RPD to major connector Transfers functional stress to abutment teeth Transfers the effects of retainers, rests and stabilizes components - McCracken’s Removable Partial Prosthesis

4. Form And Location Sufficient bulk to be rigid Minor connector which connects axial surface of an abutment should be located in an embrasure rather than on a convex surface McCracken’s Removable Partial Prosthesis

5. Should conform to interdental embrasure pass vertically from major connector, gingival crossing abrupt Should be thick towards lingual and tapering towards contact area McCracken’s Removable Partial Prosthesis

6. Evidence suggests that gingival attachment loss is more probable on the proximal aspect, thus minor connectors located in embrasures cover susceptible sites. - A variation in minor connector design for partial dentures, Radford DR Waltor JD. I nt J Prosthodontics 1993 Jan-Feb;6(1):50-4.

7. A modification was proposed limited to maxilla. Minor connector located on lingual surface of maxillary abutment tooth. Advantages: ↓ gingival tissue coverage Enhanced guidance for insertion and removal ↑ stabilization against horizontal and rotational forces McCracken’s Removable Partial Prosthesis

8. Disadvantages : encroach tongue space ↑ potential space for food entrapment McCracken’s Removable Partial Prosthesis

9. When minor connector contacts tooth surfaces on either side of the embrasure, it should taper to the teeth. McCracken’s Removable Partial Prosthesis

10. Types of minor connectors Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

11. Major Connectors Joining Clasp Assemblies To Major Connectors

12. Rigid; sufficient bulk Support rests Mostly located on proximal surfaces of teeth adjacent to edentulous areas Broad buccolingually ; thin mesiodistally Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

13. If clasp assembly not on adjacent teeth, lingual embrasure Unobtrusive Should never be kept on convex surface of teeth Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

14. Minor Connectors Joining Indirect Retainers Or Auxiliary Rests To Major Connectors

15. Form right angle with major connector Junctions gently curved Positioned in lingual embrasure Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

16. Minor Connectors Joining Denture Bases To Major Connectors

17. Described as, Open construction Mesh construction Bead, wire or nail head components on a metal base Strong Rigid Minimal interference with arrangement of artificial teeth Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

18. Maxillary arch Distal extension; extend entire ridge, cover tuberosity Should extend as posterior as possible Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

19. Mandibular arch Extend 2/3 rd of edentulous arch Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

20. Open Construction Consists of longitudinal and transverse struts; ladder like network Strut placement critical; posterior teeth arrangement This type made using preformed 12guage half round & 18 guage round wax strips Longitudinal struts Mandibular arch: 1 strut buccal to crest of ridge, other strut lingual to crest of ridge Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

21. Maxillary arch 1 strut buccal to ridge crest, Border of major connector 2 nd strut Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

22. Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

23. Transverse struts: Positioned to facilitate placement of artificial teeth Adequate room for teeth placement Should pass between necks of artificial teeth Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

24. Provide relief under gridwork:Adequate mechanical retention This space provided by relief wax placed on cast before framework fabrication About 1mm relief Relief should begin 1.5-2mm from abutment tooth Removable Partial Denture Manual, Robert W.Loney

25. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

26. Junction of this gridwork should be of strong butt type joints, with appreciable bulk Angles formed should not be >90̊ Removable Partial Denture Manual, Robert W.Loney

27. Indication and advantages When multiple teeth are to be replaced Provides strongest attachment of acrylic resin to framework Facilitates relining and rebasing of RPD Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

28. Mesh Construction Rigid metallic screen Relief and border extension similar to open construction Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

29. Channels pass through connector ↓ permits acrylic resin penetration ↓ resin encirclement ↓ mechanical retention of denture base Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

30. Drawbacks Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

31. Cast stops Distal extension cases Relief -support only at one end ↓ bend when load is applied To prevent bending, a small area at free end of minor connector should contact master cast→CAST STOP Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

32. Bead, Nail Head Or Wire Construction Used in conjunction with metal denture bases Resin attached to free surface of such bases, retention by encompassing surface projections Nail head same manner. Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

33. Advantage: Improved hygiene and enhanced thermal stimulation Disadvantage- difficulty in adjusting and relining cast metal bases Attachment of resin is relatively weak Stewart's Clinical Removable Partial Prosthodontics

34. Finish lines The interface between metal and acrylic is referrred to as finish line. If located outer surface of major connector- external finish line If located on inner or tissue surface- internal finish line

35. Internal Finish Line Formation: relief wax placed on edentulous ridge of master cast prior to duplication 24-26 guage Create elevated area on refractory cast Margins of relief wax-establish internal finish lines Margins of wax: sharp and well defined

36. External Finish Lines Sharp Should be slightly undercut to help lock acrylic resin to major connector Internal angle<90 Formation: placement of carving of wax during fabrication

37. Originate at lingual extent of rest seat Continue down lingual aspect of minor connector occlusal perspective: Occlusal perspective: external lingual sueface

38. Minor connectors in serve as approach arm for vertical projection/bar-type clasps Neednot be rigid Support direct retainers Approaches from apical direction Approach arm should display smooth, even, taper from origin to terminus.

39. references Stewart’s removable partial prosthodontics McCracken’s Removable partial Prosthodintics Robert W Loney , removable partial denture manual A variation in minor connector design for partial dentures, Radford DR Waltor JD.Int J Prosthodontics 1993 Jan-Feb;6(1):50-4.