Lecture 13 Prosthodontics ‫صفا غالب‬.

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Biomechanics of removable partial denture

Mechanics of Movement
• In human body, movement can occur in any of the three fundamental planes:
horizontal, sagittal, or frontal planes.
• These planes are perpendicular and therefore intersect one another at right angles.
The intersection of any two planes forms a linear axis .Because there are three planes,
there are also three axes. These are called the transverse axis, the vertical axis, and
the sagittal axis

Possible Movements of Partial Dentures

Removable partial dentures are subject to a composite of forces arising from three
principal fulcrums:
1.Transverse axis (principal fulcrum line axis)
2.Vertical axis (longitudinal axis)
3. Sagittal axis

1. Rotation of the extension denture base around transverse fulcrum axis

The fulcrum line (transverse axis) is that extends through two principal abutments, one
on each side of the dental arch, and generally is termed the principal fulcrum line.
This fulcrum controls the rotational movement of the denture in the sagittal plane
(ie, denture movement toward or away from the supporting ridge).
• Rotational movement around this fulcrum line is the greatest in magnitude but is not
necessarily the most damaging.
• This axis may pass through occlusal rests or any other rigid portion of a direct
retainer located occlusally or incisally to the height of contour of primary abutments.

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The vertical tissue ward movement of the denture base is resisted by the tissue of the
residual ridge in proportion to:
1. The supporting quality of that tissue.
2. The accuracy of the fit of the denture base.
3. The total amount of occlusal load applied.
While movement of the denture base in the opposite direction (away from the tissue)
is resisted by:
1. Action of the retentive clasp arms on terminal abutments and the action of
stabilizing minor connectors in conjunction with seated.
2. Vertical supporting elements of the framework anterior to the terminal abutments
acting as indirect retainers. Indirect retainers should be placed as far as possible from
the distal extension base, affording the best possible leverage against lifting of the
distal extension base.

2. Rotation of all bases around a longitudinal axis parallel to the crest of the
residual ridge
• A second movement is rotation about a longitudinal axis as the distal extension base
moves in a rotary direction about the residual ridge.
• There would be two fulcrums lines, one on each side of the arch. Those axises
control the rotational movements of the denture in the frontal plane. (ie, a rocking
movement over the crest of the ridge).

This movement is resisted primarily by the rigidity of the major and minor connectors
and their ability to resist torque. If the connectors are not rigid, or if a stress-breaker
exists between the distal extension base and the major connector, this rotation about a
longitudinal axis applies undue stress to the sides of the supporting ridge or causes
horizontal shifting of the denture base.

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3. Horizontal movement (Lateral and antero-posterior)

The third fulcrum is located in the vicinity of the midline, just lingual to the anterior
teeth .This fulcrum line is oriented vertically and controls rotational movement in the
horizontal plane.

The force resulting from this movement is almost entirely horizontal. Consequently,
these forces can be extremely damaging and should receive significant attention
during the design process

Biomechanical Considerations
• The supporting structures for removable partial dentures (abutment teeth and residual
ridges) are living things that are subjected to forces. The ability of the supporting
structures to resist the applied forces depends on the following factors:
1. The magnitude and intensity of these forces.
2. The direction of these forces.
3. The frequency of these forces.
4. The duration of these forces.

Tissues are adapted (receive and absorb forces) within their physiological tolerance

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Fibers of periodontal ligament are arranged such that their resistance to vertical forces
is much greater than that to horizontal forces

A tooth is apparently better able to tolerate vertically directed forces than non-vertical,
torquing, or horizontal forces. This characteristic is observed clinically, and it seems
rational that more periodontal fibers are activated to resist the application of vertical
forces to teeth than are activated to resist the application of non-vertical forces

The lever
A lever consists of a rigid bar, a fulcrum, an object to be moved, and an applied
force. The efficiency of the system is dependent upon the arrangement of the
fulcrum, the object, and the force in relation to the bar.

There are three classes of levers: first, second, and third.

Lever 1

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Lever 2

Lever 3

Class I or II removable partial dentures

• Abutment tipping may occur when Class I removable partial dentures receive
occlusal loads.
• The distal extension base supported by the underlying soft tissues is displaced more
than is the abutment supported by periodontal ligament. The denture base rotates
around an axis running through the rest adjacent to the edentulous space. This off-axis
abutment loading may result in distal tipping.

• The movement of a distal extension base may create a first-class lever. Movement of
the extension base will cause the removable partial denture to rotate about the most
distal abutment tooth. This creates a potentially damaging load (lever action) on the
teeth and soft tissues anterior to the distal abutment.

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• As a rule, the longer the extension base, the greater the potential for damaging loads
to be generated on the opposite side of the fulcrum line. This results in a greater need
for design features that can minimize rotation.

Note: tissue support of extension base is key factor in reducing lever action of clasp

Class IV Removable Partial Denture

Abutment tipping may occur when Class IV removable partial dentures receive
occlusal loads. The anterior extension base supported by the underlying soft tissues is
displaced more than is the abutment supported by periodontal ligament. The denture
base rotates around an axis running through the rest adjacent to the edentulous space.
This off-axis abutment loading may result in mesial tipping.

• Entirely tooth-supported prostheses

Class III removable partial denture is entirely tooth supported. As a result, forces are
directed within the long axes of the abutments and are transmitted to the associated
periodontal tissues. However, limited movement of the prosthesis, including a
tendency to lift in function, is possible.