Maxillary Major Connectors

Maxillary Major Connectors

1. Single palatal strap (Anterior, middle or
posterior)
2. Single palatal bar.
3. Anterior-Posterior Palatal Strap.
4. Anterior-posterior palatal bar.
5. U-shaped palatal connector.
6. Palatal plate-type connector.
 Maxillary Major Connectors

• Terminate 6.0 mm or more from free gingival

margin when possible
A palatal connector of less than 8 mm is referred as bar.
 Single Palatal Strap
• Usually use for Class III & IV cases
• Bilateral edentulous spaces of short span in a tooth-
supported restoration
 Single Palatal Strap
• Never use in cases involving distal extensions
since it must be made bulky for rigidity
• Relief may be required over bony midline
• Not used with torus
 Palatal Bar
Don’t use (Flexible than strap)
Narrow anterio-posteriorly
Thick occluso-gingivally
Palatal bar objectionable due to bulk
 Anterior-Posterior Palatal Strap
• Maximum rigidity ( The most rigid type )
• Strap connectors provide greater distribution of stresses
• Minimum bulk
• Use in most cases
• Especially torus palatinus (Not exended to soft palate)
Anterior-Posterior Palatal Strap Indications
1. Class I and II arches in which excellent
abutment and residual ridge support exists.
2. Long edentulous spans in Class II,
modification 1 arches.
3. Class IV arches.

The only condition preventing its use is when

there is an inoperable maxillary torus that
extends posteriorly to the soft palate.
 Anterior-Posterior Palatal Bar
• A narrow (A-P) variation of anterior-posterior
palatal strap
– Double palatal bar connector
– Requires greater bulk for rigidity
– More objectionable to the patient
U-Shaped or "Horse-Shoe" Palatal Connector

• Poor connector
• Never use unless
absolutely necessary
• Requires bulk in the
rugae area for rigidity
(where the tongue
requires freedom).
U-Shaped or "Horse-Shoe" Palatal Connector
• Too flexible.
• Allows movement at the posterior ends.
• Traumatic to the residual ridge.
• Use only where torus prohibits other
connector & extends to the posterior limit
of the hard palate
 Palatal Plate Major Connector
• Covers one half or more of
the hard palate
• Maximum tissue support
• Connector of choice in
long distal extension
cases.
• Greater stability and stress
distribution
• Not used with torus
• Increases retention (large
surface area of mucosal
contact).
Indications:
• Abutments are periodontally involved
• Maximum stress distribution is needed*
• Flabby tissue
• Shallow palatal vault
 Bead lines
• Minor elevations that slightly displace the soft
tissue and is a structural requirement in
maxillary major connectors called bead lines
 Bead Lines
• A palatal major connector should have a
specially prepared seal along the border of
the connector where it contacts the soft
tissues .
• The bead is produced by scraping a groove
approximately 3/4 to 1mm wide and 0.5 mm.
 Maxillary Major Mandibular Major
Connectors Connectors

1-Lingual Bar.
1-Single Palatal Strap.
2- Sublingual bar.
2-Single Palatal Bar.
3-Lingual Plate .
3-Anterior posterior
Palatal strap.
4-Double Lingual Bar.
4-Anterior posterior Palatal
5-Labial Bar.
bar.

5-Horseshoe(U shaped).

6-Complete Plate.
Minor Connectors
 Minor Connectors
• Any rigid component that links between the major
connector or base of RPD and other components of
the prosthesis.
In many instances a minor connector may be
continuous with some other part of the denture.
 Functions of Minor Connectors
• Unification and rigidity
• Stress distribution , transfer stresses to
abutment teeth and to the ridge.
• Bracing through contact with guiding planes
• Maintain a path of insertion
 Types of Minor Connectors
• There are four types of minor connectors
based on their location and function:
1. Embrasure.
2. Proximal
3. Denture base retention mechanism.
4. Surface.
 Types of Minor Connectors
1. Embrasure Minor Connectors:
– Triangular shaped in cross section
– Joins major connector at right angles
– Relief placed so connector not directly on soft
tissue
 Types of Minor Connectors
• Embrasure Minor Connectors:
– located between two natural teeth.

– should be thickest toward the lingual surface, tapering

toward the contact area
2. Surface minor connector;
– Are located on the lingual surface of incisors
and canines.
– They connect lingual rests to the major
connector
 3. Proximal Plates
• Minor connectors originating from the
gridwork in an edentulous area
• Broad contact with guiding planes.
• contact an abutment tooth adjacent to an
edentulous space.
Proximal Plates
Proximal Plates
4. Grid work Minor Connectors(Denture base
retention minor connector):
– Connect the denture base and teeth to the
major connector.
–Usually connect major connector to direct
retainers
– In a form of retentive mesh,retentive lattice,
loops ,beads, and posts.
 Grid work Minor Connectors
• Mesh type:
– Flatter
– Potentially more rigid
– Less retention for acrylic
if openings are small
 Grid work Minor Connectors
• Lattice Type:
• Potentially superior retention
• Interferes with setting of teeth, if struts are too
thick
– Both types are acceptable if correctly designed
 Gridwork Relief
• During fabrication of the RPD metal frame relief
wax is placed in the edentulous areas
• 1 mm of relief
• Mechanical retention of denture base resin
• Allows the acrylic resin to flow under the metal
gridwork.
FINISHING LINES
• The junctions of the minor connectors with
the major connectors should be strong butt-
type joints (not greater than 90°).
The finish lines are two types:
• Internal finish line
• External finish line
Junction With Major Connector
• Butt joint with slight undercut in metal
• Maximum bulk of the acrylic resin
• Prevents thin, weak edges fracturing
 Mandibular Gridwork Design

• Extend 2/3 of the way

from abutment tooth to
retromolar pad
• Never on the ascending
portion of the ridge
Stewart's, Fig. 2-55
 Maxillary Gridwork Design

• Gridwork
– 2/3 of the length of
from abutment to the
hamular notch
• Major connector
– extends fully to the
hamular notch
Tissue Stops
• Tissue Stops are integral parts of minor
connectors designed for retention of acrylic
resin bases.

• Provide stability to the framework during the

stages of transfer and processing. (prevent
distortion of the framework during acrylic
resin processing procedures.)
 Mandibular Tissue Stops

• Contact of metal with

cast at posterior of
distal extension
gridwork
• Prevents distortion at
free end during
hydraulic pressure of
processing
 No Tissue Stops In Maxilla

• Maxillary major
connector acts as a
tissue stop (no relief)
 Another classification
• 1. Minor connectors that join clasp assemblies
to major connectors. {mostly proximal minor
connectors}
• 2. Minor connectors that join indirect
retainers or auxillary rests to the major
connectors.{ embrasures minor connectors}
• 3. Minor connctors joininig denture base to
major connector{Grid work minor connectors}
• 4. Minor connectors that serve as approach
arms for vertical projection/ bar type clasps.
Thank You