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Connects Components To The Major Connector: Minor Connectors

The document discusses different types of minor connectors used in removable partial dentures. Minor connectors connect components to the major connector and provide unification, rigidity, stress distribution, and bracing. There are two main types: embrasure minor connectors, which are between two adjacent teeth, and gridwork minor connectors, which connect the denture base and teeth to the major connector in edentulous spaces. Gridwork provides mechanical retention and comes in mesh or lattice designs. Proper relief, junction with the major connector, and tissue stops are discussed for optimal design of minor connectors.

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455 views

Connects Components To The Major Connector: Minor Connectors

The document discusses different types of minor connectors used in removable partial dentures. Minor connectors connect components to the major connector and provide unification, rigidity, stress distribution, and bracing. There are two main types: embrasure minor connectors, which are between two adjacent teeth, and gridwork minor connectors, which connect the denture base and teeth to the major connector in edentulous spaces. Gridwork provides mechanical retention and comes in mesh or lattice designs. Proper relief, junction with the major connector, and tissue stops are discussed for optimal design of minor connectors.

Uploaded by

heycoolalex
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Minor Connectors

• Connects components to the major


connector
– Direct retainer
– Indirect retainer
– Denture base
Functions of Minor Connectors

• Unification and rigidity


• Stress distribution
• Bracing through contact
with guiding planes
• Maintain a path of
insertion
Types of Minor Connectors
• Embrasure Minor Connectors
– Between two adjacent teeth
Types of Minor Connectors
• 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


– Contact teeth above height of
contour
– Prevents wedging & tooth
mobility
– Alternatively, difficult to seat
Gridwork Minor Connectors

• Connect the denture base and teeth


to the major connector
Gridwork Minor Connectors
• Adjacent edentulous spaces
• Usually connect major connector
to direct retainers
• Open lattice work or mesh types
Gridwork Minor Connectors
• Mesh type
– Flatter
– Potentially more rigid
– Less retention for acrylic
if openings are small
Gridwork 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
• Mechanical retention of denture
base resin
• Allows the acrylic resin to flow
under the gridwork
Gridwork Relief
• Relief wax is placed in the
edentulous areas
• 1 mm of relief
Relief Under the Gridwork

• Should begin 1.5 - 2 mm


from the abutment tooth
Relief Under the Gridwork
• Creates a metal to tissue contact
adjacent tooth
– Preferable since it wears less
– Less porous, (hygiene)
Junction With Major Connector
• Butt joint with slight undercut in metal
• Maximum bulk of the acrylic resin
• Prevents thin, weak edges fracturing

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Mandibular Gridwork Design

• Extend 2/3 of the way


from abutment tooth
to retromolar pad
• Never on the ascending
portion of the ridge
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Maxillary Gridwork Design

• Gridwork
– 2/3 of the length of
from abutment to the
hamular notch
• Major connector
– extends fully to the
hamular notch
Gridwork Design

Facially just over the crest


of the residual ridge
Position of Major Connector Junction

• Should be ≈ 2 mm medial to lingual


surface of denture teeth
• Ensures bulk of resin around teeth
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)
Proximal Plates
• Minor connectors originating from the
gridwork in an edentulous area
• Broad contact with guiding planes
• May or may not terminate in an occlusal rest
Proximal Plates
Proximal Plates
• Shifted slightly lingually
– Increases rigidity
– Enhances reciprocation
– Improves esthetics
• Often a triangular space below the
guiding plane (an undercut)
Proximal Plates
• Rigid, cannot be
placed in undercut
• Block-out placed in
undercuts prior to
waxing and casting
the framework
Zero Degree Block-Out
• Does not deviate from path of insertion
• Instructions to the laboratory should
state “Use zero degree blockout”

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