Types of Maxillary Major Connector
Type Requirements
1- Palatal bar - Narrow half oval with it's
thickest point at the center.
- Gently curved and
shouldn't produce sharp
angle at junction with the
denture base.
2- Palatal - Wide band of metal with
strap a thin cross sectional
dimension.
- The most versatile and
unobtrusive major
connector.
- Shouldn't ↓ than 8mm in
width to avoid
compromising rigidity.
- ↑ the edentulous span
length → ↑ Strap width:
a) Ensure rigidity.
b) Greater support from
hard palate.
Advantages Disadvantages Indications Contraindications
1- common used for 1- To provide rigidity it - Only in short span - Shouldn't be placed
many years. must be bulky. Kennedy class III anterior to 2nd premolar
2- now, used as interim 2- Patient discomfort application. ↓
application. 3- Narrow antero- (It's bulk may produce
posteriorly (↓ vertical noticeable discomfort&
support from the bony speech alteration).
plate).
1- located in two or 1- Pt. complaint from - Unilateral distal - Bilateral distal
more planes. excessive palatal extension R.P.D. extension R.P.D.
↓ coverage: (Class II Kennedy (Class I Kennedy
(offers ↑ resistance to a) Anterior border: Classification ). Classification).
bending and twisting Posterior to palatal
forces). ruga or at the posterior
↓ slope of prominent
[L-Beam principle] ruga.
2- Strong so, can be b) Posterior border:.
kept relatively thin. Anterior to junction of
3- ↓ interference with The Hard & The Soft
normal tongue action. palate.
4- Pt. acceptance. 2- ↑ Soft tissue coverage
5- Distribute the applied ↓
stresses over a large (Papillary hyperplasia)
area. Due ↓ to
a) Denture wearing 24
hour daily.
b) Poor oral hygiene.
c) Inadequate Pt.
instructions.
 Type Requirements
3- Antero- - Both characteristics of
posterior palatal bar and palatal
palatal bar strap major connectors:
a) Anterior bar (flat) as
palatal strap.
b) Posterior bar (half oval)
as palatal bar.
- [Circle effect] : Gives
rigidity.
- [L-Beam effect] : lying in
different planes.
4- Horseshoe - Thin band of metal
connector running along the lingual
surfaces of the remaining
teeth& extended onto the
palatal tissues for 6-8 mm.
- Rigidity can increased by
extending the borders
slightly onto the horizontal
surfaces of the hard palate.
- Should display symmetry
- Should extend to the
same height on both sides.
- All borders should be
gently curved& smooth.
Advantages Disadvantages Indications Contraindications
1- Rigidity is the main 1- Frequently - When support - Pt.'s with reduced
advantages. uncomfortable. isn't a major Periodontal support.
2- Minimize soft tissue 2- May annoy the consideration. - Selected only if other
coverage. tongue. - When anterior and choices have been
3- Exceptional 3- May interfere with posterior abutments considered& eliminated
resistance to phonetics. are widely
deformation. 4- ↓ support from the separated.
bony plate. - Pt. with large
palatal tori that
can't be removed.
1- Reasonably strong. 1- Tendency for the - When several - Poor indication for
2- Some vertical support connector to flex or anterior teeth are distal extension R.P.D.
from hard palate. deform. being replaced. - When cross arch
3- Avoid bony ↓ - Presence of a stabilization is required.
prominence without (Stress concentration) prominent Median
affecting the vertical ↓ suture line or torus.
support. (Abutment damage) - Considered only if
2- To avoid flexing, It more rigid
should be thicker than connectors can't be
other major connectors. used.
(↑ bulk)
↓
(Pt. discomfort&
affecting Phonetics)
 Type Requirements
5- Antero - Each strap 8mm in width
posterior at least and relatively thin
palatal strap in cross section.
- Borders 6mm away from
the gingival margin or
extended to the palatal
surface of remaining teeth.
- Palatal borders should be
smooth& curved.
- When ant. teeth replaced:
a) Anterior strap:
Most posterior position.
b) Posterior strap:
Posterior position without
contact the soft palate.
- Open area: 20×15 at least
6- Complete - ↑↑↑ rigidity& support.
palate - ↑↑↑ Tissue coverage.
- Anterior border 6mm
away from the gingival
margin or must cover the
cingula of anterior teeth.
- Slight mechanical seal by
beading the post. border.
- Post. Palatal seal should
not be used in R.P.D. :
a) Tissue rebounding will
cause additional stresses.
b) border molding can't be
obtained.
Advantages Disadvantages Indications Contraindications
1- Rigid. 1- Metal over ruga area - Numerous teeth - If the open area ↓ than
2- Good support from may be thinner than are to be replaced. 15×20 mm other major
hard palate. other connectors. - Presence of tori. connectors are
3- Metal over ruga is 2- Phonetics may be - When cross arch preferred as:
corrugated → ↑strength encountered. stabilization is a) Wide palatal strap.
&↓ thickness ( < 1mm). 3- Extensive length of required. b) Complete palate.
4- [Circle effect]. the borders may cause c) Modified complete
5- [L-Beam effect]. irritation to the tongue. palate.
1- Proper distribution of 1- Extensive tissue - When all posterior
the applied stresses. coverage may cause teeth are to be
2- Provide additional (Soft tissue hyperplasia) replaced.
stabilization for the Due↓ to - Remaining teeth
prosthesis. a) Poor oral hygiene. are periodontally
3-Intimate contact b) Prolonged denture compromised.
between connector& the wear.
hard palate: 2- Phonetics may be
a) Dissipate the lateral& encountered.
horizontal forces.
b) ↑ the retention.
4- Pt. comfortable.
5- Little or no effect on
phonetics.
6- [L-Beam effect].
7- Thermal conductivity
8- Not porous.