Major Connectors
Maxillary Major Connectors
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Farhan Khan
HOD
Department Of Prosthodontics
Baqai Dental College
Lecture objectives
1.Types of maxillary major
connectors
2. Indications for usage of major
connector in particular case
Types of Major Connectors:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Mandibular Major
Connectors:
Lingual Bar
Sublingual Bar
Cingulum Bar
Lingual bar- Cingulum
bar combination
Linguoplate
Labial Bar

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Maxillary Major
Connectors:
Single Palatal Bar
Single Palatal Strap
(U-shaped connector)
Anterior-posterior
palatal bars
Anterior-posterior
palatal Straps
Palatal Plate
1- Single Palatal Bar:
1.
Half round bar connects one
side of the arch with other, for
cross arch stress distribution.
2.
Must be centrally located b/w
two halves of dentures.
3.
For rigidity, additional bulk is
given.
4.
Highly objectionable to patient
as regard comfort & alteration
of palatal contours.
2- Single Palatal Strap:

Indications:
Bilateral edentulous
spaces of short span in
a tooth supported
restoration.
2- Single Palatal Strap:
ii- Characteristics & Location:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Anatomic replica form.
Anterior border follows the
valleys b/w rugae as nearly
as possible at right angles to
median suture line.
Posterior border at right
angle to median suture
line.
Width 8mm – combined
width of maxillary premolar
& first molar.
2- Single Palatal Strap:
ii- Characteristics & Location:
v. Supported by FOUR
principal rests.
vi. Contoured according
to palate.
U – Shaped Palatal Connector:




Inoperable tori
Least rigid design
6mm clearance from
gingival margins
Should never be
supported on lingual
inclined surfaces of
anterior teeth
Anterior-posterior Palatal Bars:
This combination of
major connectors
present almost the same
disadvantages as the
single palatal bar.
Anterior-posterior Palatal Bars:



Rigidity may be helped
if the anterior &
posterior bars lie in
different planes – L
shaped girder effect.
Some pts. appreciates
reduction in coverage.
Others may have
difficulty in tolerating
the bulk of metal.
Anterior-posterior palatal Straps:
1- Indications:




Class I & II cases having
excellent abutment & residual
ridge support.
Long edentulous spans in class
II modification I cases.
Class IV arches – anterior
RPD’s.
Inoperable tori not extending to
the vibrating line.
Anterior-posterior palatal Straps:
2- Characteristics & Location:





Parallelogram shape & open in
centre portion.
Strap width 8 – 10mm
Lateral palatal straps 7 – 9mm
wide; parallel to curve of arch.
6mm clearance from gingival
margins.
Anatomic replica & matte
surface.
Anterior-posterior palatal Straps:
2- Characteristics & Location:
Anterior Palatal Strap:
Anterior border not placed farther
anteriorly than anterior rests; never closer than
6mm to lingual gingival crevices; follows the rugae
at right angle to midian suture.
Posterior border, if in rugae area, crosses
the mid palatine suture at right angles.
Posterior Palatal Strap:
Posterior border located at junction of hard
& soft palate at right angle to mid palatal suture &
extended to hamular notches on distal extension
sides.
Palatal Plate:
1- Indications:





In cases where some or all
anterior teeth remain .
Class II arch with a large
posterior modification space.
Poor abutments - Class I arch
with premolars or some
anterior teeth remaining.
Extremely resorbed ridges.
V or U – shaped palate.
Palatal Plate:
2- Characteristics & Location:
Anatomic replica form
 Contact all or almost all of the remaining teeth.
 Follows the rugae at right angle to midian
suture.
 Posterior border terminates at the junction of
hard & soft palate; extends to hamular notches
& right angle to median suture.

Palatal Plate:
3- Advantages:

Uniformly thin plate that reproduces anatomic
contours of palate.





Familiar feeling to the tongue.
Thermal conductivity
More readily accepted
Corrugation in the anatomic replica adds strength to
the casting.
By virtue of intimate contact, interfacial surface
tension b/w metal & tissues - retention
Palatal Plate:
4- Uses:



As a plate of varying width
that covers the area b/w two
or more edentulous areas.
Complete or partial cast plate
extending posteriorly to
vibrating line.
An anterior palatal connector
with the provision for
extending an acrylic resin
denture base posteriorly.
Minor Connectors
Minor Connectors

Connects components to the major
connector
 Direct retainer
 Indirect retainer
 Denture base
Functions of Minor Connectors
Unification and rigidity
 Stress distribution
 Bracing through contact with guiding planes
 Maintain a path of insertion

Types of Minor Connectors

Embrasure Minor Connectors
 Between two adjacent teeth
Gridwork Minor Connectors

Connect the denture base and teeth to the
major connector
Proximal Plates
Minor connectors originating from the gridwork
in an edentulous area
 Broad contact with guiding planes
 May or may not terminate in an occlusal rest
