RPA clasp design for distal-extension removable

partial dentures
Charles M. Eliason, D.D.S., M.A.*
University of the Pacific, School of Dentistry, San Francisco, Calif.

T he RPA clasp (rest, proximal plate, Akers clasp)?

was developed at the University of the Pacific School of
Dentistry to overcome some of the problems encoun-
tered with the RPI clasp (rest, proximal plate, I-bar
clasp).

RPI CLASP DESIGN

Features
The design characteristics that allow an RPI clasp’s’
to release from an abutment tooth when occlusal forces
are applied to the denture base are shown in Figs. 1
and 2. In addition, the clasp gives good resistance to
occlusal displacement, covers a minimum of tooth Fig. 1. Occlusal view of RPI clasp showing placement
of mesial rest and proximal plate. Proximal plate ex-
structure, and in most situations shows less metal than tends to distolingual surface to provide reciprocation.
other clasps. An important but seldom mentioned
advantage of the RPI clasp is its avoidance of contact
with the lingual surface of the’abutment tooth. Without
a lingual arm, the high survey line on the lingual
surface of many mandibular teeth is not a problem,
making this design useful for tooth-supported as well
as distal-extension removable partial dentures.

Contraindications
Despite these advantages, there are contraindications
for the use of the RPI clasp. Insufficient vestibular
depth will not allow the I bar to be kept 3 mm away
from the gingival margin, which is desirable for its
protection. When a tissue undercut below the abutment
teeth is present, relief for the approach arm of the I bar
may be so extensive that it is uncomfortable to the
patient. In either of these situations, without extensive Fig. 2. RPI clasp showing movement from occlusal
mouth alteration the RPI clasp cannot be used. forces. Proximal plate, C, drops gingivally and slightly
mesially into distal undercut as rotation occurs around
Limitations mesial rest with approximate center of rotation, B. I bar
moves mesially and slight!y gingivally. A, Survey
Because the approach arm of the retentive I bar line. D, Level of desired undercut.
arises from the framework well back from the tooth to

protect the gingival tissue, in some instances a long and

Presented to the Pacific Coast Society of Prosthodontists, Newport
correspondingly flexible retentive arm results and
Beach, Calif.
*Clinical Assistant Professor of Removable Prosthodontics. expected retention is not obtained. In addition, on
tThe original design was developed by Dr1 Charles A. Eliason and recall examination clasp arms are sometimes found to
Dr. Arthur J. Krol in 1970. be distorted and permanently sprung away from the

0022-3913/83/010025+03$00.30/00 1983 The C. V. Mosby Co. THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY 25

 ELIASON

Fig. 3. Improperly designed RPA clasp under occlusal Fig. 5. Properly designed RPA clasp showing move-
force. Located above survey line, A, rigid portion of ment from occlusal forces. Proximal plate, C, drops
retentive arm cannot move gingivally. This moves gingivally and slightly mesially as rotation occurs
center of rotation distally. Mesial rest lifts out of its around mesial rest with approximate center of rota-
rest seat. Retentive portion of clasp arm engages tion, B. Rigid portion of retentive arm contacts tooth
mesial undercut, torquing tooth distally. only along survey line, A, and moves gingivally and
mesially. Retentive end of clasp arm moves mesially
and slightly gingivally.

The RPI clasp is generally more esthetic than most

conventional circumferential clasps. However, where
patients show a great deal of gingival tissue when
smiling, or because of personal preference, they may
object to the appearance of the RPI clasp, preferring
the “old clasp” to which they are accustomed.

RPA CLASP DESIGN

The RPA clasp was developed to deal with the
problems encountered with the use of the RPI clasp.
The initials signify rest, proximal plate, and Akers
Fig. 4. Laboratory blockout of refractory cast for RPA clasp arm. The mesial rest and proximal plate are
clasp. Rigid portion of retentive clasp arm is waxed for designed identically to those of the RPI clasp. The
casting over blocked-out distofacial surface, E. Only difference is in the retentive arm. An Akers, or
superior border will be in contact with tooth. Cast circumferential clasp arm, arises from the superior
under retentive end of clasp arm is not blocked out. portion of the proximal plate and [Link] the
Arm is in contact with cast at desired level of under-
cut, D. tooth to engage the mesial undercut.
The RPI assembly is designed with the rest on the
mesio-occlusal surface of the tooth, permitting the other
tooth. To avoid this, the first part of the clasp coming components to release from the tooth and drop into
off the framework must be thick and rigid, thus making undercuts when occlusal loads are placed on the
it difficult to set teeth esthetically. denture bases. Will this also occur with the RPA
For some patients the RPI removable partial den- design? If a conventional Akers clasp is used, with the
ture is difficult to manipulate, as there is no convenient retentive arm coming off the proximal plate above the
component to grasp with finger- or thumbnail for its survey line and crossing the survey line in the middle of
removal. This can be a real problem for patients with the tooth to engage the undercut, then the vital
arthritis or other physical disabilities. Relief of clasp releasing capability will be lost. The rigid bracing
components, especially the I bar where it crosses the portion of the arm is not able to move toward the
gingival border, is crucial. This relief is sometimes gingival, so the fulcrum point will in effect be moved
insufficient, necessitating remakes and delays. When toward the distal surface of the tooth. The components
the required undercut is located close to the gingival anterior to the fulcrum point will now lift in function.
margin, it is difficult to approach gingivally and avoid When occlusal pressure is placed on the denture bases,
impingement on this tissue, even with proper relief. the mesial rest will lift out of its seat, and the retentive

26 JANUARY 1983 VOLUME 49 NUMBER 1

RPA CLASP DESIGN

arm will engage the undercut, torquing the tooth can move into the undercut because of the relief under
distally (Fig. 3). This is the same kind of force that its rigid section and release from the abutment tooth
often proves destructive to an abutment tooth when a (Fig. 5). The freedom of the movement may be verified
conventional Akers clasp is used. The design of the in the mouth with pressure-indicating Imaterial under
RPA clasp must avoid this problem if it is to success- the clasp arm and digital pressure applied to the
fully function in distal-extension removable partial denture bases.
dentures.
In the survey of an abutment tooth for the RPA SUMMARY
clasp, a fairly normal tooth alignment is needed with a The RPA design has been discussed as an alternative
survey line in approximately the middle of the tooth, to the RPI design. With its mesial rest and special
providing undercuts on both the mesial and distal retentive arm design, it gives essentially the same kind
aspects of the facial surface. There must be at least a of tooth release that the RPI clasp provides.
0.01 inch undercut mesially. In addition, there are some advantages over the RPI
Mouth preparation is the same as that for the RPI design. The circumferential-type retentive arm is easier
clasp. A rest seat is placed on the mesio-occlusal surface to grasp for removal of the prosthesis. The clasp is
of the tooth and a guiding plane prepared on the distal simple in design with few variations among patients
surface. and thus can be easily and consistently fabricated by
The final impression is obtained and a master cast dental laboratories. But most important, the circumfer-
poured. When the master cast is blocked out prior to its ential retentive arm avoids the tissue problems around
duplication for pouring a refractory cast, the distal half abutment teeth and allows the RPA clasp to be used
of the facial surface as well as the surface under the in many situations where the RPI clasp is contra-
guiding plane are blocked out. When the Akers clasp indicated.
arm is waxed, the superior border of the retentive arm
REFERENCES
is placed on the survey line from the proximal plate to
1. Kratochvil, F. J.: Influence of occlusal rest position and clasp
the middle of the tooth, where it then drops down to
design on movement of abutment teeth. J PROSTHET DENT
engage the necessary undercut for proper retention 13:l 14, 1963.
(Fig. 4). The undercut will vary from 0.01 to 0.02 inch, 3. Krol, A. J.: Clasp design for extension-base removable partial
depending on the size of the tooth and the length of the dentures. J PROSTHET DENT 29:408, 1973.
retentive arm.
Rqtmn/ reyue\1.r lo:
When the casting is made, the rigid portion of the
DR. CHARLES M. ELIASON
clasp arm will contact the tooth only along its superior UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC
border at the level of the survey line. When an occlusal SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
load is applied to the denture base, the retentive arm SAN FR.\NCISCO, CA 94 I 15

THE JOURNAL OF PROSTHETIC DENTISTRY 27