LECTURE CONTENT:-

I. Definition of direct retainers.

II. Requirements of a direct retainers.
III. Types of direct retainers.
IV. Intra-coronal direct retainers.
V. Advantages & Disadvantages.
VI. Reference.
Direct retainer:-
A direct retainer is any unit of a removable dental prosthesis that engages an
abutment tooth to resist displacement of the prosthesis away from basal seat tissue.

REQUIREMENTS OF A DIRECT RETAINER:-

All direct retainers, clasp assemblies or attachments, must provide the following
functions in order to be effective and not do
harm to the abutment teeth or tissues of the
denture foundation area:
(1) support.
(2) retention.
(3) cross-tooth reciprocation.
(4) fixation.
(5) passivity.
Direct retainers have two main types:-
1. Intra-coronal attachment : (Within the contour of the crown e.g.
precision attachment).
2. Extra-coronal attachment : (Outside the contour of the crown of the
tooth e.g clasp
Extracoronal attachments
An intra-coronal attachment:-

An intra-coronal direct retainers (attachment) :-are called so , because a

part or the whole of the retentive components are located within the anatomical
contour of the abutment teeth .
Uses of the attachment are :
1. Fixed bridgework intracoronal attachment on non parallel abutments
2. Partial Denture
3. Overdentures
4. Unilateral or bilateral free end denture
5. Implant prostheses .
The internal attachment consists of two components:
1. The first component, matrix, is a metal receptacle (holder or keyway)
contained within the abutment tooth.
2. The second component, patrix, (key) is attached to the removable partial
denture.
● Intra-coronal attachment are made with a key (patrix) & key way (matrix)
mechanism, the matrix fits within the contours of a crown & the patrix is a part
of the RPD framework.
● The patrix engages the vertical walls built within the contours of the crown
&resists dislodgement by a torsional resistance of the metal.

Indication of internal attachments:

1. when we need Minimize trauma to soft tissue,
2. to Control of loading and rotational forces
3. when Non parallel abutments present
4. to Improved retention
5. to Redistribution of forces required
6. Segmenting ‫) ) تقطيع الجسر الطويل الى قطع‬of the long span bridge
Contra indications
1. Large pulp (this limits the depth of receptacle )in young patient under 18 years
2. Short clinical crown of abutment teeth
Types of internal attachments ( within the contour of the tooth)
Internal attachments may be subdivided into two categories based on the method of
fabrication and tolerance of fit between components:-
1- precision attachment –
● If components are fabricated in metal using high-precision manufacturing
techniques, they are considered precision internal attachments. These
attachments usually exhibited excellent surface adaptation.
● prefabricated component machined in special metal alloy the hardness
of the alloy is controlled, and it is less wear.
Types of Precision attachment :
A. The locking type
● located intracoronally or extracoronally.
● not used for distal extension removable partial dentures (because
generating torque and tipping stresses on the abutment)
B. The non-locking type.
● used in many instances in class I and class II partially edentulous
situations.
● Minimizing torque forces on the abutments.

2- semi- pression attachment –

● It is fabricated by direct casting of plastic, or wax, it is less accurate
than pression attachment, (shows a less intimate fit between matrix
and patrix components), can be fabricated from wide choice of alloy ,
low cost , easy fabrication.
INTRACORONAL DIRECT RETAINERS
Advantages
1. Improve esthetic by elimination of the visible retentive and support
components.
2. Improve patient comfort.
3. Reduction of food impaction.
4. Better force distribution on abutment teeth.( Better vertical support)
Disadvantages

1. It requires preparation of the abutment tooth and casting crown.

2. It requires complicated clinical and laboratory work.
3. It loses its retention (wear) with loss of frictional resistance.
4. Difficult to repair and replace.
5. More costly
 Types of direct intra coronal retainers(attachments ):
1. Internal attachments:
2. External attachment:
3. Stud attachment
4. Bar attachment

● All attachments have male & female components

1. Internal attachment : Defined as a retainer consist of :

❖ a receptacle part ‫ ) جزء مستقبل‬matrix) placed on the abutment tooth
❖ closely fitted part (patrix)‫ جزء يتداخل ويرتبط بشكل دقيق‬,attachet to a pontic or
Or a removable partial denture .
❖ The patrix engage the vertical walls of abutment crown to create
frictional resistance during removable ‫يسبب حدوث مقاومة خروج الطقم من مكانه‬
❖ Should be used in tissue supported distal extension denture base .( Because
these dentures show horizontal movement due to the resiliency of the
supporting soft tissue , (internal attachments ) do not permit horizontal
movement of the denture .
 2. extrernal attachments are positioned entirely outside the crown contour of
the tooth. Indicated in young patient with large pulp chamber .
Advantages :
● More aesthetic type of attachments
● Easy to insert
● More resilient ‫اكثر مرونة‬

3. stud attachments:
● stud attachments are simple in design, consisting of a male stud type that is soldered
‫ ملتحم مع قاعدة‬to a base.
● the base is a coping covering the prepared tooth stump, usually having a post
extending into an endodontically treated root canal.
● Used for over denture .
 4 bar attachment:
Indication : used when there is bone loss around the abutment teeth
Advantages :
● splinting of the abutment teeth
● cross arch stabilization
● good retention &support of the prosthesis

That’s all thank you