R E M O V A B L E RP ER M

O SOTVH A
OB L N
DO E T IPCRS O S T H O D O N T I C S

A Clinical Overview of Removable

Prostheses: 3. Principles of Design for
Removable Partial Dentures
J. FRASER MCCORD, NICK J.A. GREY, RAYMOND B. WINSTANLEY AND ANTHONY JOHNSON

Supporting Elements
Abstract: Removable partial dentures (RPDs) should not be made for patients unless These may be rests on the crowns of
they are necessary. Most partial dentures have the potential to cause some damage to
teeth, coronal restorations, root faces
the teeth and supporting tissues, however well they are designed and constructed; the
criteria for selecting such devices were described in a previous article. In general there of teeth, mucosa or implants.
is merit in, wherever possible, reducing tissue coverage as much as possible when RPDs
Retaining Elements
are being planned. This article, the third in a series on the prescription of RPDs,
discusses the design principles involved. These are termed direct retainers and
may be clasps, precision retainers,
Dent Update 2002; 29: 474–481 guiding plates acting on surfaces/
Clinical Relevance: Correct design of RPDs will aid retention and minimize the planes (e.g. in the RestPlane I-bar (RPI)
risk of damage to supporting teeth and tissues. system) or, on occasion, resilient
insertions. As denture adhesives are
not planned components of RPDs, they
are excluded in this context.

Connecting Elements

B efore discussing basic principles of

design of removable partial dentures
(RPDs), it is important to discuss
anatomical form of the respective arch
and merely provides an overall
description of where the saddles are
These may be major connectors, which
join up the saddles, or minor
connectors that join rests or direct
rudimentary aspects of such devices – without outlining the size of the retainers to the major connector.
their classification and constituent saddles or, indeed, of describing the
parts. denture. The classification advocated Anti-rotational Components
The common classification system by Beckett2 outlines the source/s of Often referred to as indirect retainers,
used in the UK for partial dentures is support (see Table 1). although they also function as
that devised by Kennedy.1 This supporting elements for the framework.
classification, which will be familiar to
most readers, is based empirically on Components of Partial Denture Base Material and Flange
the frequency of the partially Dentures The denture base material and denture
edentulous state. It is descriptive of the A sound understanding of the flange may serve as one or more of the
components of partial dentures, and above components.
the different potential forms for each
J. Fraser McCord, BDS, DDS, FDS, DRD RCS component, is essential if dentures
(Edin.), FDS RCS (Eng.), CBiol, MIBiol, Professor PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
and Head of Unit of Prosthodontics, University
are to be designed appropriately for
Dental Hospital of Manchester, Nick J.A. Grey, each patient. What is appropriate can Once it has been agreed that a RPD is
BDS, MDSc, PhD, FDS, DRD, MRD RCS (Edin.), be determined only by thorough to be fitted, the dentist should work to
Consultant/Honorary Senior Lecturer in examination of the patient and a rubric or skeleton when designing the
Restorative Dentistry, Edinburgh Dental Institute, listening to their wishes and prostheses, whether fixed or removable.
Raymond [Link],BDS,MDS,FDS RCS
(Edin.), Senior Lecturer/Honorary Consultant in
expectations – dentures cannot be We recommend the following:
Restorative Dentistry, Charles Clifford Dental designed appropriately by
School, Sheffield, and Anthony Johnson, MMedSci, scrutinizing study casts in isolation 1. Outline the saddles and determine
PhD, Lecturer in Dental Technology, Charles and abdicating responsibility to the which ones need to be restored.
Clifford Dental School, Sheffield. technician. 2. Decide on the nature of the support.

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 REMOVABLE PROSTHODONTICS

mucosa covering the residual ridge(s)

Classification Class or type Comments/modifications
as the denture will tend to sink into the
Kennedy Class I Bilateral free-end saddles tissues and damage the periodontal
Class II Unilateral free-end saddle tissues of the remaining teeth with time.
Class III Bounded saddle – posterior
Class IV Anterior bounded saddle If the teeth provide some support, then
the sinking of the denture into the
Beckett Tooth–borne Functional descriptor only – gives no indication of position tissues is, in theory, minimized. Hence it
Tissue (mucosa) in the arch
-borne is the design rather than the material
Tooth and tissue which is important in this context
-borne (Figure 1).
Table 1. Summary of the classification of dentures according to Kennedy1 and Beckett.2 The advantages of acrylic resin-
based RPDs primarily relate to ease of
construction, lower production cost
3. Decide on how best to maximize We endorse the philosophy, and their relative ease of adjustment/
retention. however, that provision of successful alteration. They are light in weight but
4. Decide on how best to unite the partial dentures is a team effort, and usually cover more tissue than a
saddles. liaison with laboratory staff is essential corresponding metal denture because
to ensure the proposed design is of their inferior strength characteristics;
These four steps are identical for both technically feasible. This is particularly in consequence they tend to be thicker
fixed and removable prostheses. important if an unusual or more complex than cobalt-chromium bases. The fitting
design is being considered. surface is difficult to clean owing to its
5. Decide whether anti-rotational relatively rough finish, and it tends to
devices are required and, if so, how take up stain more easily. However, in
this is achieved. MATERIALS many cases it is possible to design a
6. Re-assess for hygiene and, with an The two main types of material used for hygienic acrylic resin upper denture
eye on the future, maintenance of construction of the base of RPDs are with a design similar to (but covering
the prosthesis (e.g. relining, repair acrylic resin and cobalt-chromium more tissue than) a metal denture of a
and replacement of components of alloys. The former is often thought to plate design (Figure 2).
precision attachments) and the be ‘second best’ and the latter better Metal dentures, it is claimed, offer
prognosis of the remaining dentition. but this is not necessarily the case. We the advantage of transmission of
7. Decide on how the occlusion is to be consider that the selection of the most temperature to the underlying tissues,
planned and, at the same time, plan appropriate design is probably more but once again the fitting surface tends
with appearance in mind. important. to be relatively rough because it is not
The term ‘gum stripper’ is often possible to polish it without losing the
In the UK, it tends not to be the associated with acrylic resin dentures accuracy of fit (not applicable to saddle
practice to cast primary impressions in but this tends to be related particularly areas which are resin covered).
the surgery, yet such a simple task is to the mandibular partial denture, where It is possible to make all acrylic
taught to every undergraduate and the the non-tooth supporting tissues are partial dentures partly tooth supported
advantages of casting primary poorer, quantitatively and qualitatively, by ensuring the palatal or lingual plate
impressions on-site must outweigh any than in the maxilla. Any partial denture finishes on or above the survey line on
potential disadvantages. The ability to in the lower jaw may act as a ‘gum the teeth, but this practice is
cast study impressions on the premises stripper’ if it is supported only by the considered risky as the resin may
facilitates denture design as study
casts would be readily available to
place adjacent to radiographs and other
patient-related data when planning an a b
appropriate design. Most dentists do
not actually design partial dentures,3,4,5
preferring to delegate this task to the
technicians; yet the responsibility for
the design is a clinical one. Currently,
only the dental surgeon is licensed to
examine the patient, assess
radiographs, interpret the condition of Figure 1. (a) Lower ‘gum-stripper’ partial denture. (b) Damage to the underlying tissues caused
the mouth and, ultimately, fit the by this denture.
denture.

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REMOVABLE PROSTHODONTICS

go, and it enables the technician to

a b overcome one of the problems of the
prescription form – rotated teeth or
spaces smaller than the missing teeth
can be indicated in the design more
clearly.
Once it has been decided that a
partial denture is necessary, the study
casts should be articulated and the
Figure 2. Hygienic upper acrylic resin partial denture. (a) Facial view. (b) Palatal view. occlusion examined to confirm the
clinical examination and identify any
problems this may pose for the
construction of the RPD (e.g. space for
fracture. It is also possible to pontic may be more appropriate with a components of the RPD such as
incorporate cast gold rests into acrylic metal partial denture rather than a occlusal rests, clasp assemblies etc.).
dentures but the cost of doing so is conventional resin saddle (Figure 3). Study casts must be accurate; alginate
probably greater than making a cast When designing metal dentures that (irreversible hydrocolloid) is the most
cobalt-chromium base in the first place. incorporate anterior saddles, commonly used impression material and
Denture teeth for partial dentures are particularly where there is a ‘close bite’, ought therefore to be cast within 10
usually made of acrylic resin, rather it is preferable to have metal protection minutes of removal from the mouth or
than porcelain, because it is easier to for the palatal/cingulum aspects of the kept at the correct humidity until it can
grind them to fit in with the occlusion denture teeth in order to prevent them be cast. Distortion, blows on the
and apply them to the framework. being dislodged. The appearance of occluding surfaces of the teeth and
Porcelain is not only much harder to such a denture is of acrylic resin general lack of detail are not conducive
adjust, but there is the danger of joining the anterior denture teeth to the to satisfactory partial denture design.6
removing the diatoric holes which metal major connector with an However, accuracy is needed only in
provide retention to the acrylic resin. In underlying meshwork for retention those areas directly related to where
many cases of small-span saddles (Figure 4). This area of the denture is the denture will fit, or the occlusion. A
posteriorly, a metal ‘sanitary’-type potentially weak and will offer little blow or deficiency in the sulcus related
resistance to dislodgement. The to teeth that will not involve the
technician needs to see the final
position of the denture teeth if he or
she is to know exactly how far to
extend the waxing for the metalwork to
provide protection. This necessitates
an extra clinical stage, with a try-in (in
wax on a baseplate) before the
metalwork is constructed (Figure 5) –
this was discussed in the second article
in this series.6
Figure 3. Metal ‘sanitary’ pontic between the
maxillary molars.
DESIGN OF THE RPD Figure 5. Upper RPD with a cobalt-chromium
backing for the denture teeth to prevent them
being dislodged by occlusal forces.
General Considerations
Most laboratories will provide
prescription forms for the design to be
outlined, and some dentists may
provide their own. The exact format of
the form is unimportant, provided the
necessary information can be included.
Figure 4. Acrylic resin joining the anterior We prefer to draw the design on the
denture teeth to the metal framework. The
cobalt-chromium meshwork can be seen
study cast/s (Figure 6) as well as on the
through the PMMA and the thin resinous prescription form. In this way it can be Figure 6. The partial denture design has been
connector tends to be prone to fracture. seen exactly where each component will drawn on the study cast.

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REMOVABLE PROSTHODONTICS

area(s) present and to determine the posterior edentulous saddles.

places where it is intended to place l A ‘T’ design of denture is suitable
RPD saddle areas.7 for metal or acrylic in many cases
The intended saddles areas are of anterior missing teeth.
perhaps the easiest part of the design, l Where there is a torus, or the
since these are the areas of the missing patient wishes to avoid too much
teeth. With distal extension dentures, palatal coverage, a horseshoe
the saddle should extend around the design or ring design is indicated.
tuberosities with upper RPDs, and up
Figure 7. Lingual bar. onto the retromolar pads with lower The authors’ preference where
RPDs. These landmarks should posterior teeth only are missing is a
normally be combined with maximum mid-palatal plate, the width and tissue
denture is not of major importance. extension into the functional depth of coverage depending on the number of
Care with casting the impression is the buccal and lingual sulci. Exceptions teeth being replaced.
also necessary to help prevent defects. may be where the bounded saddles are
Pouring the mix in from one side and short or where it has been decided to Mandible
letting the stone run around the teeth ‘gum fit’ the denture teeth when large There are a number of choices for major
in the arch while vibrating the alveolar undercuts are placed. connector in the mandible.
impression helps to prevent air blows. With acrylic resin, a plate design may
In both surgery and plaster room, care be used, but this should be restricted
should be taken to prevent distortion Selecting the Major to a temporary or transitional partial
of the heels of the impression. Connector denture because of the potential
The areas of tooth preparation can be Drawing the design on the study cast gingival damage. A more satisfactory
noted, and the depth of rest seats enables all the denture components and connector in these cases is the wrought
related to the occlusion. It is necessary their position to be identified so that stainless steel lingual bar. For a
at this stage to make use of the the technician can reproduce the ‘permanent’ lower partial denture cast
surveyor and mark the path of insertion design exactly. Once the material of the metal should be used as the major
of the denture, undercuts on the teeth, denture has been decided upon, the connector, to enable as much tooth
depth of any undercuts, and the major connector can be drawn and the support as necessary (and possible) to
presence of unwanted undercuts, particular type chosen depending on be incorporated into the design, thus
which will need to be blocked out. the position of the edentulous saddles. minimizing the possibility of ‘gum
The first article in the series7 referred stripping’. The lingual bar is hygienic
to the need to assess the patient’s oral Maxilla since it does not cover over the teeth
state and the perceived ability of In the maxilla, if the major connector is (Figure 7), but a depth of functional
remaining teeth and soft tissues to selected to be acrylic, then it will most lingual sulcus of at least 8 mm is
support a prosthesis. The patient’s probably be a plate design (even the required to combine stability of the
history of denture wearing is important. spoon denture is essentially a plate denture with health to the remaining
If they have previously worn dentures design). However, with a stronger dentition. The lingual bar is considered
satisfactorily, it may be sensible to make material as a major connector (e.g. to be more noticeable to the tongue,
new ones to the same design as the old cobalt-chromium alloy), then a larger and cannot act, on its own, as an
one provided its design was conducive range of options is available – a plate, indirect retainer with distal extension
to good oral health. If, in the estimation strap, horseshoe or ring design. cases. It is D-shaped in cross-section
of the clinician, a previous design was and requires a width from the lingual
poor but no damage has been caused l The ring design, and all bar types gingival margins of the remaining
and the patient has worn it for a long of major connector, tends to have a incisor teeth to the reflection of the
time without problems, there is a good number of edges noticeable to the lingual sulcus of 8 mm.
case to be made for reproducing this tongue, and are thicker although The lingual plate is considered more
design in the new denture. However, if it they cover less tissue. Plate acceptable to the tongue and can act as
was predisposing to disease, a more designs tend to be thinner and less an indirect retainer, but it does of
satisfactory design should be chosen noticeable, but do cover a wider course cover over the lingual surfaces
and the reasons explained to the patient. area of the palate. of the lower anterior teeth, thus
l With anterior saddles, a spoon predisposing to caries and gingival/
denture or an ‘every’ type denture periodontal irritation. The appearance
Outlining the Saddles may be suitable, depending upon may also be poor if there is spacing
This is a good practice, as it enables the number of anterior teeth between the teeth.
the clinician to identify the edentulous missing and the presence of A good alternative is the sublingual

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 REMOVABLE PROSTHODONTICS

Outlining Support
Once the major connector has been
drawn on the cast, the positions of any
rests are also drawn and joined to the
major connector with the minor
connectors. Molars, premolars and
canines are the most suitable teeth for
rests, but incisal rests are valuable for
ensuring forces are directed down the
Figure 8. Sublingual bar. long axes of the teeth (although they are Figure 10. Kennedy bar.
restricted to patients for whom aesthetics
is not a high priority). It is often thought
bar (Figure 8), which fits in the lingual that rest seats should be prepared only to gingival tissues and thereby having a
pouch beneath the tongue and is less ensure there is sufficient room from the tendency to irritate them as well as
noticeable. Although more bulky than a opposing tooth or teeth. However, leading to the accumulation of food.
lingual bar (it is half pear-shaped and preparation is a prerequisite to direct They are more easily distorted with
requires a 10 mm space from lingual forces down the long axes of the teeth, misuse, and are not aesthetically
gingival margins to the lingual reflection), because these are the forces teeth can pleasing. However, they do work
it is much more rigid. However, careful withstand much better than lateral or effectively, especially on premolars.
attention must be paid to the impression ‘jiggling’ forces. Additionally, a definite The simplest type of clasp in this
technique, using functional tongue seat ensures there are no sharp edges to category is the ‘I’-bar type (Figure 11).
movements to roll the impression material irritate the tongue. (For details on
while it is setting. The technician must preparation of occlusal rests, readers are Occlusally Approaching Clasps
preserve this roll to safeguard denture referred to standard textbooks of Occlusally approaching clasps approach
stability. prosthodontics.) Rests also act as the undercut on the tooth from an
The dental bar may be used where indirect retainers for Kennedy Class I and occlusal position. They are intended to
there is a limited lingual sulcus, but as Class IV partial dentures (see below). stay closely in contact with the tooth but,
this fits onto the cingulum region of the Where crowns are being provided, again, are not aesthetically pleasing.
teeth and has to be bulky for strength, it conventional wisdom would indicate that From the myriad of designs, two types
may not be readily acceptable to the the wax try-in be made so that the are usually preferred:
patient. supporting and retaining elements of the
The labial or buccal bar is RPD may be incorporated into the l the single-arm clasp (which, together
recommended for lingually inclined lower crowns. with an occlusal rest and a reciprocal
anterior teeth such as Skeletal III cases arm, is called a three arm clasp;
(Figure 9) but usually there are more Figure 12); and
acceptable alternatives. Retaining Elements l the ring clasp.
The Kennedy bar (Figure 10) is a Direct retainers are any components that
combination of a continuous clasp on the provide retention for a partial denture – The latter is particularly useful on
lingual surfaces of the lower anterior for example, frictional retention of the lone-standing molars, the retentive tip
teeth and a lingual bar. This type of major denture base against the teeth will give engaging lingually on the lower and
connector tends not to be well perceived direct retention. However, the term is buccally on the upper owing to the
by patients owing to the number of edges usually understood to mean the clasps way in which these teeth tend to tilt
that are in contact with the tongue.8 used for retention. when they do not have an adjacent
Two broad divisions of clasp are
gingivally approaching and occlusally
approaching, referring to their
relationship to the clinical crowns of the
abutment teeth. There are many weird
and wonderful designs of clasp, and they
can be very confusing.

Gingivally Approaching Clasps

Gingivally approaching clasps, also
known as bar clasps, approach the
Figure 9. Labial/buccal bar. This example is undercut on the tooth from a gingival Figure 11. I-bar on distal aspect of anterior
incorporated in a Swinglock design. position, passing over the alveolar and abutment tooth.

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REMOVABLE PROSTHODONTICS

at the same vertical level as the retentive

tip for the same reason. This will entail
tooth preparation of the teeth to be
clasped, which will also provide guide
planes for improved seating of the
denture. Reciprocation can also be
obtained via the denture base and may
take the form of a rest or a minor
connector. It is doubtless redundant to
Figure 12. Three-arm clasp on the maxillary state that true reciprocation is possible Figure 13. There is no need to restore the
second molars. Note the anterior placement of only when (replacement) crowns are edentulous spans with two premolars and two
the retaining clasp tips. The occlusal rests and the milled to receive the components of a molars; the occlusal table should be reduced in
posterior palatal bar will thus serve as indirect width and length to reduce occlusal forces on the
retainers denture.
residual ridges.
The position of clasps, together with
the reciprocation, rests (see below), and
tooth in contact mesially. the minor connectors joining them to the In the same partial denture but using a
We do not recommend the use of cast denture base can now be drawn on the lingual plate as the major connector, the
cobalt-chromium occlusally approaching study cast. The type of clasp to be connector cannot rotate downwards as
clasps on premolar retainers since they used, and its material, will depend on the the plate rests on the lingual surfaces of
are too short to be flexible or too thin amount of undercut available on the the lower anterior teeth which are
and liable to fracture. It would appear, tooth, as determined when the study (relatively) incompressible. The saddles
however that, in spite of the casts were evaluated with the surveyor. therefore cannot rotate upwards. In this
recommendations by Bates,9 this design Whenever possible, clasps should be case the lingual plate is acting as an
of clasp is incorporated into many designed to be clear of the gingival indirect retainer as well as the major
designs. margins to reduce the possibility of connector. Obviously this is all relative,
trauma and plaque accumulation (see and with the best will in the world a
Clasps first article, Figure 27). Composite bilateral free end saddle lower partial
It should be emphasized at this stage additions to the crowns of natural teeth denture will still tend to lift when eating
that clasps are passive when the where the undercut is near the gingivae sticky foods - but the indirect retention
denture is in the mouth. They become are worth considering in these will help to reduce this tendency.
active only on removal and insertion of circumstances. Other examples of indirect retainers
the denture, when passing out of or into are rests so, when designing the
undercuts on the teeth. For this reason, support for a partial denture, the
they require reciprocation with a rigid Incorporation of Anti-rotation requirement for indirect retention should
component on the other side of the Components be borne in mind when positioning the
tooth to the direct retainer in order to The final components of the denture rests (on a horizontal surface). In the
counteract lateral forces exerted on the base to be drawn on the design of the maxilla, an extension of the denture base
teeth by the clasps when the denture is RPD are the indirect retainers. These are posterior to the axis of direct retention
removed and inserted. not necessary with all partial dentures, on the hard palate (which again is
The most common ways of achieving but are valuable with distal extension relatively incompressible) for a partial
reciprocation use a component similar to (free end saddle) partial dentures and denture with an anterior saddle will
a single arm retentive clasp on the other those with anterior saddles. provide indirect retention (Figure 12).
side of the tooth (but which is rigid) or The easiest way to understand the The further the indirect retainer is
fit the denture base against the tooth on principle of indirect retention is to away from the axis of direct retention,
the opposite side to the retentive clasp. visualize a bilateral free end saddle lower the more effective it is.
A ring clasp gains its reciprocation from partial denture with the second
the rigid arm being on the opposite side premolars and all the molars missing and
of the tooth from the retentive tip, or via a lingual bar major connector. Clasps on Completion of Design
a cingulum rest if the tooth concerned is the first premolars will give an axis of The design should be reappraised and
a canine. direct retention as an imaginary line the clinician should determine that the
With all reciprocation, the reciprocal between them. If the patient chews denture base covering the saddles is
elements should act against a vertical something sticky the saddles will lift up, sufficient to achieve prosthodontic
surface on the tooth so that, as the rotating around the line of direct norms. The denture base extension,
denture starts to be removed, the retention. On the opposite side of this however, is not suggestive of the
reciprocal element does not lose contact axis the lingual bar will rotate number of teeth on the saddle, which
with the side of the tooth; it should be downwards. should be kept to a minimum consistent

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 REMOVABLE PROSTHODONTICS

with function (Figure 13). To reduce planes exist naturally; others require sensible to replace the amalgam
loading on a mandibular distal extension some preparation of guide planes by carefully, taking care to ensure it will
saddle the buccolingual width of the grinding interproximal enamel to enable have sufficient bulk in the appropriate
teeth may be reduced, and premolars a more satisfactory denture to be place.
rather than molars used. Teeth should constructed. Guide planes consist of
never be placed on the ascending slope parallel surfaces on the axial walls of
of the lower ridge unless it is necessary the supporting teeth which then give a
to oppose teeth in the opposite jaw. definitive single path of insertion for R EFERENCES
1. Kennedy E. Partial Denture Construction. New
With an upper anterior saddle, the the denture, increase the direct
York: Dental Items of Interest Publishing Co.,
extent of the flange may vary depending retention due to the areas of contact, 1928; pp.3–8.
on the individual case. and avoid ‘wedging’ the teeth as the 2. Beckett LS. The influence of saddle classification
denture is inserted and removed. on the design of partial removable restorations.
J Prosthet Dent 1953; 3: 506–516.
l If only one or two anterior teeth are Guide planes can also be prepared on 3. Basker RM, Davenport JC. A survey of partial
being replaced, ‘gum fitting’ or a the mesial/distal surfaces of the teeth denture design in general dental practice. J Oral
small partial flange is acceptable. on either side of the edentulous Rehabil 1978; 5: 215–222.
spaces. Such preparations should not 4. Basker RM, Harrison A, Davenport JC, Marshall
l Marked labial undercuts may J. Partial denture design in general dental
necessitate less than full extension extend all the way down the axial walls; practice – 10 years on. Br Dent J 1988; 165:
into the sulcus, although this area they should begin below the marginal 245–249.
should be palpated clinically to ridge and end well before the gingival 5. Davenport JC, Basker RM, Heath JR, Ralph JP,
margin. With anterior edentulous Glantz PO, Hammond P. Communication
determine the degree of between the dentist and the dental technician.
compressibility. spaces, the preparation of guide planes Br Dent J 2000; 189: 471–474.
l A full-depth flange is to be can lead to a partial denture with 6. McCord JF, Grey NJA, Winstanley RB, Johnson
preferred where there is a shallow improved aesthetics. A. A clinical overview of removable prostheses:
2. Impression making for partial dentures. Dent
palate in order to provide Update 2002; 29: 422–427.
anteroposterior stability, 7. McCord JF, Grey NJA, Winstanley RB, Johnson
particularly where a large number of
Occlusal Adjustments A. A clinical overview of removable prostheses:
It is poor clinical practice to reduce an 1. Factors to consider in planning a removable
anterior teeth are missing.
partial denture. Dent Update 2002; 29: 376–381.
l The presence of a high or low lip opposing cusp tip in order to eliminate
8. Farrell J. Partial denture tolerance. Dent Pract
line will also affect the extent of the an interference when fitting a partial Dent Rec 1969; 19: 162–164.
flange. A high lip line might cause denture. However, as part of a planned 9. Bates. The mechanical properties of cobalt-
preparation of the teeth, this is chromium alloys and their relation to partial
the clinician to plan for a ridge-lap denture design. Br Dent J 1965; 120: 79–83.
or even a ‘gum-fitted’ appearance to perfectly satisfactory before taking the
avoid the potentially unsightly master impression. Rest seats should
flange. Where the lip line is low or be prepared for reasons already stated,
where the mobility of the upper lip but caution must be exercised: a deep
is reduced, the flange may not preparation would not be recommended
present an aesthetic problem. on a young patient or someone with a
high caries rate where there is a
In the lower jaw, a full labial flange is possibility of extending into dentine (in
necessary to provide stability because fact with the caries prone patient a
of the poor support available from a partial denture should be avoided if
lower edentulous ridge. possible), but in an elderly patient with
pulpal recession and a healthy mouth
this may be perfectly acceptable. All
TOOTH PREPARATION enamel surfaces of the teeth that have
Preparation of the teeth after the design been prepared should be polished
has been finalized is an important stage afterwards.
in the construction of successful partial Preparation of a rest seat in a
denture, although care has to be taken restored tooth requires care. For
when carrying this out. example, with a Class II amalgam
restoration, rest seat preparation may
thin down the amalgam at the
Guide Planes axiopulpal line angle to the extent that
Guide planes have already been the restoration fractures. A radiograph
mentioned in relation to reciprocation may help to determine the thickness of
for clasps. In some patients, guide amalgam, but if there is any doubt it is

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