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Major connector

Definition
• The major connector
connects the parts of the
prosthesis located on
one side of the arch with
those on the opposite
side.
Requirements of
major connectors
• 1- Must be
rigid
• 2- Must be
properly located
in relation to
gingival and
movable soft
tissues.
• 3-must not
impinge on the
gingival
margin.
The border of maxillary major
connector is 6 mm from gingival
margins
Superior borders of mandibular
major connector is 3 mm from
gingiva.
MAXILLARY MAJOR
CONNECTORS
Bar
Anteroposterior width is less
than 8 mm
Strap
Anteroposterior width is 8 to 12
mm range
palatal plate
Anteroposterior width is more
than 12 mm
Complete palatal plate
TYPES
OF MAXILLARY MAJOR
CONNECTORS
I- SINGLE PALATAL
BAR
Indications
• In tooth- borne
RPD when
• second premolars
• and or first molars
are missing.
Design
• 1-Half oval.
• 2-Gently curved
• 3-Not form a sharp
angle with base .
• 4-Placed opposite to
to second premolar
and first molar.
Disadvantages
• 1-For rigidity it is
bulky
• 2-It drives little
support.
• 3- limited to
replace one or
two teeth.
I- ANTEROPOSTERIOR
PALATAL BAR
Indications
1-Any class when anterior
and posterior abutments
are widely separated.
2- Patient objects large
palatal coverage.
3- Patients
with large
palatal torus
Design
• 1-Anterior bar
flat.
• 2-Posterior bar is
half oval in cross
section.
• 3-Two bars
joined by flat
longitudinal bars
Advantages
• 1-Rigid (L-beam effect).
• 2-Little tissue coverage.
Disadvantages
• 1-Little support.
• 2-Anterior bar
covers the rugae.
• 3-Extra bulk is
required for rigidity.
II- SINGLE PALATAL
STRAP
Indications
1- Tooth borne RPD when
posterior teeth are
missing.
2- In tooth-mucosa RPD
when extension base
short.
Design
• 1-Wide, thin band
• Anterior border
posterior to the rugae
• Posterior border on
hard palate .
• May be thickened in
the middle for rigidity
2-Anteroposterior width is
within the 8-12mm range.
Advantages:
• 1- Rigid.
• 2- Comfortable because it is thin.
• 3-Provides support.
III- HORSESHOE
OR
U- SHAPED CONNECTOR
Indications:
• 1- Anterior teeth
are replaced.
• 2-Tooth-borne
RPD with anterior
and posterior
teeth missing.
• 3- In presence of
palatal torus.
Design
• 1- 6-8 mm U-shaped
band.
• 2-Borders 6 mm
away from gingiva or
extend onto the
lingual surfaces
above cingulum of
anterior teeth and
survey line of
posterior teeth.
3-Should be: Uniform in
thickness and Symmetric
With curved and smooth
borders
Advantages:

• It solves the problem of


–Missing anterior teeth.
–Large torus.
Disadvantages:
• 1-Less rigid.
• 2-Covers the
rugae area.
IV- ANTEROPOSTERIOR
PALATAL STRAP (CLOSED
HORSESHOE)
Indications
• The same
indications of
anteroposterior
palatal bars.
Design
• 1- It is similar in
design to the
anteroposterior
palatal bars
except they are
more wide.
Advantages:
• 1-It is rigid.
• 2-It provide good support.
Disadvantages:

• Multiple borders
• Coverage to the rugae area.
V-THE COMPLETE
PALATAL PLATE
Indications
In long span bilateral
tooth-mucosa borne RPD.
Indications
• In the presence of
–Poor residual ridge
- Periodontal disease of the
remaining teeth
Design
• 1-Anterior border
6 mm from
gingiva.
• 2-Posterior
borders at
vibrating line.
• 3-Posterior
border beaded.
Advantages
• It offers maximum
• Rigidity
• Support
• Retention.
Disadvantages
• 1-Cannot used with palatal torus.
• 2-Alter taste and tactile sensation.
Types of palatal plates
1-Cast metal.
• It cannot be relined .
• 2-Complete resin plate
• Can be relined or rebased .
• 3-Combination anterior metal
& posterior resin.
• The resin area may be relined or
rebased
MANDIBULAR MAJOR
CONNECTORS
TYPES
OF MANDIBULAR MAJOR
CONNECTORS
I-Lingual bar
Indication
When depth of the vestibule equal
or exceed 8 mm.
Design
• Half pear in
cross section
•5 mm in
height.
•2 mm in
thickness .
2-The superior border 3 mm
from the gingiva.
3- Inferior border at the
functional depth of vestibule.
4-Relief of the tissue
surface is necessary.
Advantages
• It is the most commonly used
major connector because:
• Simple
• Patient acceptance.
• Not cover teeth or gingiva.
Disadvantages
• May not be rigid.
II- Lingual plate
Indications:
• Depth of vestibule
less than 8 mm.
• Future loss of
natural teeth is
anticipated.
• For splinting.
Design:
• 1-It consists of a
pear shaped
lingual bar with
a thin metal
extending to
cingula and
survey lines
• 2- Relief under
the lingual plate
is required
except its
superior border
which should
contact the teeth
to avoid food
trap.
Advantages
• 1- Rigid.
• 2- Indirect retention.
• 3- Deflect food.
• 4-Resistance to horizontal forces.
• 5- Permits replacement of lost
tooth.
• 6- Splinting
• 7- Prevent super-eruption of
anterior teeth.
Disadvantages:
• Covers more tooth and gingiva.
III-Labial bar
Indications:
• 1-Teeth
inclined
lingually
• 2-Lingual tori.
Design
• 1- Half pear
shaped bar.
• 2-Superior
border 3 mm
below gingiva.
• 3-Relief is
required.
Advantages

• It solves the
problem of
• Severely
inclined teeth
• Avoids torus.
Disadvantages

• 1-lack rigidity
• 2- less comfortable.
• 3- No Esthetic
MINOR
CONNECTORS
Definition
• Links major connector or base and
other components of RPD such as
rests and clasps.
Functions
• 1- Transmit forces
to abutment.

• 2-Transfer the
effect of retainers,
rests and stabilizing
components to
RPD.
Design specifications
1-Should be rigid.
2-Slight relief is required over
gngiva.
3-All angels rounded.
4-Highly polished

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