Major and Minor Connectors

Major Connector

The principal method for connecting the opposing sides of a removable partial denture.

Minor Connector

Join smaller components to the major connector.

Relief

Where a gingival margin must be crossed, ______ must be provided between the metal and soft tissues. 

Right

Borders of the maxillary major connector must cross the palatal midline at _____ angles. 

Rounded

A major connector should exhibit smooth, _______ contours.

Bead Lines

Its thin tissue coverage: median palatine raphe, palatal torus.

No

Should relief be used under a maxillary major connector?

Single Palatal Bar

(Maxi) Narrow half oval with thickest part at the center.

Single Palatal Bar

(Maxi) Gently curved bar that shouldn't form a sharp angle with the denture base.

Class III

(Single Palatal Bar) Used for short span of which class?

2nd Premolar

(Single Palatal Bar) Not placed anterior to which tooth?

8 mm

(Single Palatal Bar) Less than _ mm in width.

Palatal Strap

(Maxi) Most versatile.

Palatal Strap

(Maxi) Wide band of metal with thin cross section. May cross the palate in an unobtrusive manner.

Palatal Strap

(Maxi) Bilateral tooth-supported areas, unilateral distal extension base areas.

Anteroposterior Palatal Bar

(Maxi) May be used when anterior and posterior abutments are widely separated.

Anteroposterior Palatal Bar

(Maxi) Contraindicated for patients with reduced periodontal support

Anteroposterior Palatal Bar

(Maxi) May be used for patients with large palatal tori.

Horseshoe / U-shaped Palatal Connector

(Maxi) Least desirable.

Horseshoe / U-shaped Palatal Connector

(Maxi) May be used when a large torus is inoperable.

Horseshoe / U-shaped Palatal Connector

(Maxi) May the used when several anterior teeth are to be replaced.

Horseshoe / U-shaped Palatal Connector

(Maxi) Fails to provide good support and may permit Impingement of underlying tissues.

Anteroposterior Palatal Strap

(Maxi) Structurally rigid and may be used in most maxillary partial denture applications.

Anteroposterior Palatal Strap

(Maxi) When numerous teeth are to be replaced. When a torus palatinus is present.

Palatal Plate

(Maxi) Greatest amount of tissue coverage.

Palatal Plate

(Maxi) Advantageous when all posterior teeth are to be replaced.

Palatal Plate

(Maxi) Periodontally compromised remaining teeth. Minimal ridge height available.

Tooth-supported

(Mandi) Little to no relief.

Distal Extension

(Mandi) Moderate amount of relief.

Lingual Bar

(Mandi) Most frequently used.

Lingual Bar

(Mandi) Indicated in all tooth supported RPD unless there is insufficient space between the gingival margin and the floor of the mouth.

8 mm

(Lingual Bar) At least _ mm of space must be available from the gingival margin to the floor of the mouth.

5 mm

(Lingual Bar) Minimum height of?

3 mm

(Lingual Bar) _ mm of space to prevent irritation of soft tissues.

Lingual Bar

(Mandi) Minimal contact with the remaining teeth and soft tissues. Decreased plaque accumulation.

Lingual Plate

(Mandi) Increased soft tissue simulation. Extensive coverage.

Lingual Plate

(Mandi) Half-pear-shaped lingual bar with a thin, solid piece of metal extending from its superior border.

Low

(Lingual Plate) Inferior border must be placed as ___ in the floor of the mouth as possible.

Cingula

(Lingual Plate) Superior border must intimately contact the lingual surfaces of the teeth above the _______.

Knife

(Lingual Plate) _____-edged superior border.

Step Backs

(Lingual Plate) May compromise rigidity.

Rests - Premolars

(Lingual Plate) Must always be supported by _____ located no farther than the mesial surfaces of the _____ premolars.

Lingual Plate

(Mandi) Insufficient vertical space for a lingual bar.

Lingual Plate

(Mandi) Remaining teeth have lost much of its periodontal support and require splinting.

Lingual Plate

(Mandi) When one or more anterior teeth are periodontally compromised but may provide service for a time.

Double Lingual Bar / Cingulum Bar (Continuous Bar)

(Mandi) Lingual surfaces and interproximal soft tissues are exposed.

Double Lingual Bar / Cingulum Bar (Continuous Bar)

(Mandi) Joined by rigid minor connectors at each end.

Mesial Fossae

(Double Lingual Bar) Rests at each end of the upper bar and not farther posterior than the _______ ______ of first premolars.

Double Lingual Bar / Cingulum Bar (Continuous Bar)

(Mandi) May be used when contact with mandibular anteriors is indicated but open embrasures exist.

Double Lingual Bar / Cingulum Bar (Continuous Bar)

(Mandi) Natural simulation of marginal gingiva. Traps debris. Irritating to the tongue.

Labial Bar

(Mandi) Runs across the mucosa on the facial surface of the mandibular arch. Half-pear shape.

Labial Bar

(Mandi) Longer than other mandibular major connector.

Labial Bar

(Mandi) Height and thickness greater than a lingual bar.

Swing-Lock

(Labial Bar) Hinge at one end and a lock on the other

Labial Bar

(Mandi) Generally poor patient acceptance, distorts lower lip, depth of labial vestibule.

Minor Connectors

Distributes applied forces to the supporting teeth and oral tissues.

Proximal - Edentulous

Minor connectors joining clasp assemblies to major connectors are mostly located on the _________ surfaces of teeth adjacent to __________ areas.

Right

Minor connectors that join indirect retainers to major connectors must form _____ angles with corresponding major connectors.

Gently

Minor connectors that join indirect retainers to major connectors should have _______ curved junctions.

Tissue Stops

A small area at the free end of the minor connector that contacts the master cast.

90

External finish lines of a minor connector should be less than __ degrees.

Rest Seat

External finish lines of a minor connector extend from the lingual extent of the ____ ____ to the lingual aspect of the minor connector.

No

Do minor connectors that serve as approach arms for vertical projection/bar-type clasps require rigidity?