MAJOR CONNECTORS
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DEFINITION
INDICATION OF RPD
KENNEDY’S CLASSIFICATIONS
APPLEGATE’S MODIFICATIONS
APPLIGATE’S RULES
TYPES & STEPS OF RPD
COMPONENTS OF RPD
IDEAL REQUIREMENTS MAJOR CONNECTOR
DESIGNING CONSIDERATION OF MAJOR CONNECTORS
MAXILLARY MAJOR CONNECTORS
MANDIBULAR MAJOR CONNECTORS
Specific learning objectives;
At the end of the class student should be able to;
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Define Major connector.
Enumerate the types and function
Enumerate indications of major connector.
Definitions
1. Removable partial denture (RPD): A partial denture that
can be removed and replaced in the mouth by the patient.
2. Interim denture (provisional; temporary): A denture used
for a short interval of time to provide esthetics, mastication,
occlusal support and convenience & conditioning of the
patient to accept the final prosthesis.
Indications for RPD's
1. Lengthy edentulous span (too long for a fixed prosthesis)
2. No posterior abutment for a fixed prosthesis
3. Excessive alveolar bone loss (esthetic problem)
4. Poor prognosis for complete dentures due to residual ridge morphology
5. Reduced periodontal support of remaining teeth (won't support a fixed
prosthesis)
6. Cross-arch stabilization of teeth
7. Need for immediate replacement of extracted teeth
8. Cost/patient desire considerations
Kennedy’s classification
CLASS I-Bilateral edentulous areas located
posterior to the remaining natural teeth
CLASS II-Unilateral edentulous area located
posterior to the remaining natural teeth
CLASS III- Unilateral edentulous area with
natural teeth both anterior and posterior to it
CLASS IV-Single, bilateral edentulous area
located anterior to the remaining natural teeth
Applegate Modification-to expand the Kennedy system by adding
classes V and VI, however, acceptance has not been universal.
 CLASS V- is described as an edentulous area bounded anteriorly and
posteriorly by natural teeth in which the anterior abutment (the lateral
incisor) is not suitable for support.
 CLASS VI- is an edentulous situation in which the teeth adjacent to the
space are capable of total support of the required prosthesis.
TYPES & STEPS IN FABRICATION OF
REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES
1-INTERIM
1.DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANING
2.PREPROSTHETIC MOUTH PREPARATION
3.PRIMARY IMPRESSION
4.DUAL IMPRESSION ( SECONDARY )
5.JAW RELATION
6.TEETH ARRANGMENT AND WAXUP,CARVING
7.DENTURE PROCESSING
8.DENTURE INSERTION
9.POST INSERTION FOLLOW-UP
2-DEFINITIVE OR PERMANENT
1.DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANING
2.PREPROSTHETIC MOUTH PREPARATION
3.PRIMARY IMPRESSION
4.SURVEYING
5.REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURE DESIGN
6.PROSTHETIC MOUTH PREPARATION
7.DUAL IMPRESSION ( SECONDARY )
8.FRAMWORK TRY-IN
9.JAW RELATION
10.TEETH ARRANGMENT AND
WAXUP,CARVING
11.DENTURE PROCESSING
12.DENTURE INSERTION
13.POST INSERTION FOLLOW-UP
COMPONENTS OF RPD
Major connector
Minor connector
Direct retainer
Indirect retainer
Major Connector
A part of removable partial denture which connects the
components on one side of the arch to the components of
opposite side of the arch.
Ideal Requirments• Should be Rigid
• Provide vertical support
• Should be comfortable
• Should not allow any food
accumulation
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Should be self cleansing
Designing Consideration•
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Border should be 6 mm away from gingiva margin in maxilla & 3 mm away in mandible
Border should be parallel to gingival margin
Border should be rounded
Not extend over bony prominence ( Tori)
Avoid to cover rugae or border end in the belly of rugae not at crest of rugae
Should be symmetrical
Metal framework should cross the gingival margin only at right angles.
Part of the framework that adjoining the teeth should be hidden in the embrasures to avoid
discomfort
A-MAXILLARY MAJOR CONNECTORS
1-SINGLE POSTERIOR PALATAL BAR
-Is narrow, half oval & thickest at the center.
Indication- interim RPD or Class III (Short span)
2-PALATAL STRAP
is the most versatile maxillary major connector. It consists of a wide,
thin band of metal that run across the palate & it should be 8 mm wide.
Indication- Class II & III ( Short span)
3- SINGLE BROAD PALATAL OR PALATAL PLATEIt is slight broader then palatal strap
Indication- Class I, U or V shape palate.
4-ANTEROPOSTERIOR, OR DOUBLE, PALATAL BAR
Combination of anterior & posterior palatal strap
Indication- Class II mod 1, Class IV, Tori, Avoid complete
palatal coverage.
5-HORSESHOE, OR U-SHAPED, CONNECTOR
It consists of a thin band of metal running along the palatal surface of the
posterior teeth and extending onto the palatal tissue for 6-8mm.
Anteriorly thin plate cover the cingula of teeth.
Indication-Class IV, Tori on post. Palate, Prominent midpalatine
suture, Overbite of anterior teeth.
6-CLOSED HORSESHOE, OR ANTEROPOSTERIOR PALATAL STRAP
Structurally strong and rigid major connector that may be used in most
maxillary partial denture designs. It is same as U shape except post. strap.
Indication- Class I & II with Some anterior tooth replace,
If midpalatine tori present.
7-COMPLETE PALATE
Cover the full palate, Anteriorly 6 mm away from gingiva or extend upto
cingula of teeth, posteriorly till PPS as round beading.
Indication- Class I with ant. Teeth missing, IV, II & III with long
edentulous span, Cleft palate, flat ridge.
TYPES OF MANDIBULAR MAJOR
CONNECTORS
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Lingual bar
Lingual plate
Double lingual bar or Kennedy bar
Labial bar
B-MANDIBULAR MAJOR CONNECTORS
1-LINGUAL BAR
This is half pear shape, Thicker at inferior border, minimum of 8 mm
vertical clearance from floor of the mouth, 5-6 mm in minimum thickness &
height. This is most frequently used mandibular major connector.
Indication- Class I & II, III condition
2-LINGUAL PLATE
It is similar to the Lingual bar but the superior border of the bar onto the
lingual surfaces of the teeth.
Indication- Class I & II condition with remaining teeth are not
periodontally sound, Chances of over eruption of mandibular ant.
teeth.
3-DOUBLE LINGUAL BAR OR KENNEDY BAR
This differs from the lingual plate in the middle portion is taken off.
Indication- Class I,II & III with large embrasures or diastema
in anterior Teeth.
4-LABIAL BAR ( Swing lock)
It is same as lingual bar but thicker & runs across the mucosa labial to the
mandibular anterior teeth.
Indication- Class III & IV, Teeth are lingually placed or inclined,
Tori present,
5-SUBLINGUAL BAR
It is same as lingual bar but placed more inferiorly & posteriorly
than lingual bar.
Indication- Class I, II, III with Anterior lingual undercut,
sulcus depth is too little
6- CINGULUM BAR
It is located on or slightly above the cingula of anterior teeth. It may be Used alone or with a
lingual bar.
Indication- Class I, II & III with large embrasures or diastema in anterior Teeth.
REFERENCES1.Carr A.B, Mc Givney G.P, Brown D.T. Mc Crackens Removable Partial Prosthodontics. 11th
Edition 2005 India; Pg -271- 299.
2. Deepak Nallaswamy. Textbook of Prosthodontics. 1st Edition 2003 India; pg.327-340.