Mandibular Major Connectors

DR. N. KULASHEKAR REDDY MDS

ASST PROF
COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY, JU
 CONTENTS
• Parts of RPD
• Definition
• Guidelines
• Types of mandibular major connectors
WHAT IS A REMOVABLE PARTIAL
DENTURE
PARTS OF A REMOVABLE PARTIAL
DENTURE
1. Major connectors
2. Minor connectors
3. Rests
4. Direct retainers
5. Stabilizing or reciprocal
components (as parts of a
clasp assembly)
6. Indirect retainers (if the
prosthesis has distal extension
bases)
7. One or more bases, each
supporting one to several
replacement teeth
Mandibular framework designed for a partially edentulous arch with a Kennedy
Classification II, modification 1. Various component parts of the framework
are labeled for identification. Subsequent chapters will describe their function,
fabrication, and use. A, Major connector. B, Rests. C, Direct retainer. D, Minor
connector. E, Guide plane. F, Indirect retainer.
 DEFINITION
• A major connector is the component of the
partial denture that connects the parts of the
prosthesis located on one side of the arch with
those on the opposite side.
• It is that unit of the partial denture to which all
other parts are directly or indirectly attached
• This component also provides the cross-arch
stability to help resist displacement by functional
stresses.
• The major connector may be compared with the
frame of an automobile or with the foundation of
a building.
• It is through the major connector that other
components of the partial denture become
unified and effective.
• IT MUST BE RIGID
 GUIDELINES
• Major connectors should be designed and
located with the following guidelines in mind:
1. Major connectors should be free of movable
tissue.
2. Impingement of gingival tissue should be
avoided.
 GUIDELINES
3. Bony and soft tissue prominences should be
avoided during placement and removal.
4. Relief should be provided beneath a major
connector to prevent its settling into areas of
possible interference, such as inoperable tori or
elevated median palatal sutures.
5. Major connectors should be located and/or
relieved to prevent impingement of tissue because
the distal extension denture rotates in function.
Characteristics of Major Connectors Contributing to
Health and Well-Being

1. Made from an alloy compatible with oral tissue

2. Is rigid and provides cross-arch stability through
the principle of broad distribution of stress
3. Does not interfere with and is not irritating to the
tongue
4. Does not substantially alter the natural contour
of the lingual surface of the mandibular alveolar
ridge or of the palatal vault
Characteristics of Major Connectors Contributing to
Health and Well-Being

5. Does not impinge on oral tissue when the

restoration is placed, removed, or rotates in
function
6. Covers no more tissue than is absolutely
necessary
7. Does not contribute to the trapping of food
particles
8. Has support from other elements of the
framework to minimize rotation tendencies in
function
9. Contributes to the support of the prosthesis
 Special structural requirements
• In general, mandibular major connectors
are long and relatively narrow.
• Mandibular connectors must be rigid
without being so bulky that they
compromise patient comfort.
 Special structural requirements
• Unlike maxillary major connectors, for
which relief is infrequently required,
mandibular ma or connectors may require
j

relief between a mandibular removable

partial denture and the underlying soft
tissues.
 Special structural requirements
• It is important to note that bead lines are
not used in conjunction with mandibular
major connectors.
• Contact with the friable mucosa of the
mandibular arch may cause irritation,
ulceration, and patient discomfort.
 Factors for amount of relief
• For an entirely tooth-supported
prosthesis, little or no relief is needed
because the denture does not tend to
move in function.
• For a distal extension removable partial
denture, however, a moderate amount of
relief my be indicated because this type
of prosthesis tends to rotate during
function.
 Factors for amount of relief
• Relief prevents the margins of the major
connector from lacerating the sensitive
lingual mucosa as a result of this movement.
• The slope of the anterior ridge also
influences the amount of relief needed
 Mandibular Major Connectors

• Six types of mandibular major connectors are:

1. Lingual bar
2. Linguoplate / Lingual plate
3. Sublingual bar
4. Lingual bar with cingulum bar (Double lingual
bar )
5. Cingulum bar (continuous bar)
6. Labial bar
• Lingual bar and lingual plate major connectors
are used in the majority of removable partial
denture applications.
• Double lingual bar and labial bar major
connectors are used for special applications in
which lingual bars and lingual plates are
contraindicated.
 Lingual bar
• The lingual bar is
the most frequently
used mandibular
major connector
• Indicated for tooth
supported
removable partial
dentures unless
there is insufficient
space between the
marginal gingivae
and the floor of the
mouth.
• When viewed in cross
section, a lingual bar is
halfpear shaped.
• The broadest portion of
the bar is located at its
inferior border, nearest the
floor of the mouth
• The presence of
mandibular tori complicates
the design, fabrication, and
placement of lingual bar
• Availability of space is a key factor in
determining whether a lingual bar can be used.
• To accommodate a lingual bar, at least 8 mm of
vertical space must be present between the
gingival margins of the teeth and the floor of
the mouth.
• This permits the major connector to have a
minimum height of 5 mm and allows 3 mm of
space between the gingival margins and the
superior border of the bar.
• Failure to provide 3 mm of space may lead to
irritation of the adjacent soft tissues.
 Advantages of the lingual bar
• In addition to its simplicity, a lingual bar has
minimal contact with the remaining teeth and
soft tissues.
• As a result, there is decreased plaque
accumulation and increased soft tissue
stimulation.
• These factors may be critical in the longterm
maintenance of teeth and soft tissues
Disadvantages of the lingual bar
• The greatest disadvantage is that if extreme care
is not taken in the design and construction of a
lingual bar, the resultant framework may not be
rigid.
 Lingual plate
• The structure of a lingual
plate is basically that of a
half-pear-shaped lingual bar
with a thin, solid piece of
metal extending from its
superior border.
• This thin projection of
metal is carried onto the
lingual surfaces of the teeth
and presents a scalloped
appearance.
• When a patient exhibits open embrasures or the
anterior teeth are widely spaced, modifications
to the lingual plate may be indicated. "Step
backs" can be designed to avoid an unwanted
display of metal
 Advantages of the lingual plate
• A lingual plate must be used because there is
insufficient vertical space for a lingual bar.
• This lack of space may be related to gingival
recession, high muscle attachments, or high
frenum attachments on the lingual aspect of
the mandibular arch.
• A lingual plate is indicated when the
remaining teeth have lost much of their
periodontal support and require splinting.
• When posterior teeth have been lost and
there is a need for additional indirect
retention, the use of a lingual plate may be
advantageous.
• Indicated for patients with conditions that
prevent the removal of existing mandibular
tori.
• One of the greatest advantages of the
lingual plate major connector is its
exceptional rigidity.
• In addition, patients often consider a well-
fitting lingual plate more comfortable than
a lingual bar.
 Disadvantages of the lingual plate
• The lingual plate's extensive coverage may
contribute to decalcification of enamel surfaces
and irritation of the soft tissues in patients with
poor oral hygiene.
 Sublingual Bar
• A modification of the lingual bar
that has been demonstrated to
be useful when the height of the
floor of the mouth does not
allow placement of the superior
border of the bar at least 4 mm
below the free gingival margin is
the sublingual bar.
• The bar shape remains
essentially the same as that of a
lingual bar, but placement is
inferior and posterior to the
usual placement of a lingual bar,
lying over and parallel to the
anterior floor of the mouth.
• Contraindications include interfering lingual
tori, high attachment of a lingual frenum, and
interference with elevation of the floor of the
mouth during functional movements.
Cingulum Bar (Continuous Bar)
• When a linguoplate is
the major connector of
choice, but the axial
alignment of the
anterior teeth is such
that excessive blockout
of interproximal
undercuts must be
made, a cingulum bar
may be considered.
Cingulum Bar (Continuous Bar)
• A cingulum bar located on or slightly above
the cingula of the anterior teeth may be
added to the lingual bar or can be used
independently.
• Additionally, when wide diastemata exist
between the lower anterior teeth, a
continuous bar retainer may be more
esthetically acceptable than a linguoplate.
• Less rigid and not recommended
 Double lingual bar (Kennedy bar)
• A double lingual bar
displays characteristics
of both lingual bar
and lingual plate major
connectors.
• The lower component
of this major
connector should be
half-pear shaped in
cross section, with its
greatest diameter at
the inferior margin.
 Double lingual bar (Kennedy bar)
• The upper bar should be half oval in cross section.
• This bar should be 2 to 3 mm in height and 1 mm
thick.
• The upper bar should not run straight across the
lingual surfaces of the teeth but should present a
scalloped appearance.
• A double lingual bar is indicated primarily when
contact with the remaining mandibular anterior
teeth is indicated, but open embrasures exist.
 Advantages of the double lingual
bar
• When properly supported
by rests at each end, a
double lingual bar
effectively extends indirect
retention in an anterior
direction.
• Because the gingival tissues
and the interproximal
embrasures are not covered,
a free flow of saliva is
permitted and the marginal
gingiva receives natural
stimulation.
Disadvantages of the double lingual
bar
• The principal disadvantage of a double lingual
bar is its tendency to trap debris.
• Patients also may find a double lingual bar
irritating to the tongue.
 Labial Bar
• Used in situations where
extreme lingual inclination of
the remaining lower premolar
and incisor teeth prevents the
use of other major connectors
• Although the use of a labial
major connector may be
necessary in rare instances, it
should be avoided by resorting
to necessary mouth
preparations rather than by
accepting a condition that is
otherwise correctable
• Unless surgery is definitely contraindicated,
interfering mandibular tori should be removed
so that the use of a labial bar connector may
be avoided.
• A modification to the
linguoplate is the hinged
continuous labial bar.
• This concept is
incorporated in the
Swing-Lock* design,
which consists of a labial
or buccal bar that is
connected to the major
connector by a hinge on
one end and a latch at the
other end
 Review of indications for mandibular
major connectors
1. For a tooth-supported removable partial denture, the
lingual bar normally is the mandibular major connector
of choice.
2. When there is insufficient room between the floor of the
mouth and the gingival margins (< 8 mm), a lingual
plate should be used. This major connector also is
indicated for patients with large inoperable tori and
patients with high lingual frenum attachments.
3. When the anterior teeth have reduced periodontal
support and require stabilization, a lingual plate is
recommended.
 Review of indications for mandibular
major connectors
4. When the anterior teeth exhibit reduced
periodontal support and large interproximal
spaces, a modified lingual plate (le, step-back
design) or double lingual bar should be used.

5. When a removable partial denture will replace

all mandibular posterior teeth, a lingual plate
should be used.

6. A labial bar is rarely indicated.

References