and , when used on one of the abutments ( generally

the
stronger one

),
will go
ensuring stability

of
far towards and successful function the
appliance On bilaterals however undercut conditions frequently pre

,
.
vent use
its

.
summarize where design conditions permit the pref
To

clasp

is
,

#
1
–
all

all
supplies

of
erable others because the elements good clasp
to

a it
design one structure and greater degree than any other individual

to
in

clasp
.

Gauging the Clasp

#
1

Adequate retention with measured with the 020 under

clasp
#

is
1
a

.
cut the buccal and lingual arm tips this gauge will assure
at

gauge
Used

,
.

the correct positioning

of

the flexible arms the undercut areas which

in
be

are used for retention

to

With the 020 gauge locked the Surveyor tool holder the shank
in

is
.

brought into contact with the abutment tooth directly above the point
tip

where the the buccal clasp arm be

of

end located which also

the is

is
to

the
the point spindle vertically until
of

maximum undercut Raise

).
rim

the gauge head touches the tooth

of

the undercut This the

is
in

.
the gingival edge

on
of

limit and should be marked

this clasp arm
of

the model with sharp lead pencil Follow the same procedure locating

in
a

tip
of

the gingival edge the lingual clasp arm

.

at
The complete clasp design can now be drawn the tooth starting
on
the

the gingival edge body portion

of

the clasp below the occlusal rest

of

kept
be

The design line must slightly above the survey line

or
on

area
.

pointmidway mesio
on as

carried around the buccal surface istally

to
is
it

,
a

-d

that surface Here crosses the survey line into the undercut area and
it
.

joined smooth continuous line the gauge mark just established

to
in

,
is

The same process then repeated the lingual surface

on
is

The occlusal limit the clasp design should then be outlined very
of

carefully remembering that for functional efficiency and maximum

,

strength the clasp should have continuous taper from rigid

an

even
,
.tip

be

shoulder flexible performed clasp patterns are used the

to

to
If

Left The survey line Center The 020 gauge measures the undercut
-

-
.

Right The clasp place

in
#
1
-