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Stress Breakers
3RD CLASS

Lec. 13
DR. Luma Nassrat

ASSISSTANT LECTURER, DEPARTMENT OF PROSTHODONTICS

COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY
TIKRIT UNIVERSITY

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INTRODUCTION:

In the distal extension RPD, support is derived from both the

residual ridge and abutment teeth. The variation in consistency
providing this support allows some rotational movements of the free end
base towards the soft tissues. Harmful tissue-ward movements of distal
extension under occlusal load are transmitted to the abutment teeth
resulting in loosening of these teeth. The use of a rigid connection
between the denture base and supporting teeth must account for base
movement without causing tooth or tissue damage

Stress breakers: Stress Directors: (GPT 8)

❑ A device or system that relieves specific dental structures of part or

all of the occlusal forces and redirects those forces to other bearing
structures or regions.

❑ A stress breaker is something like a hinge joint placed within the

denture framework, which allows the two parts of the framework
on either side of the joint to move freely. (Mc Cracken)

Aims of Stress Breaking:

a. To direct occlusal forces in the long axis of the abutment teeth.

b. To prevent harmful loads being applied to the remaining natural

teeth.

c. To share load as early as possible between the natural teeth and

saddle areas according to the ability of these different tissues to
accept the loads.

d. To ensure that part of the load applied to the saddle is distributed as

evenly as possible over the whole mucosal surface.

e. To provide greater comfort to the patient.

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Types of Stress Breakers:

TYPE 1: These types have a movable joint between the direct retainer and
the denture base and permit vertical movement and hinge action of the
distal extension denture base.

• Hinge • Sleeve • Cylinder • Ball and socket

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TYPE 2: flexible connection between direct retainer and denture base.

• Wrought wire soldered to major connector.

• Split major connectors.

• Clasps having stress breaking effect:

• Disjunct partial dentures

1. Wrought wire soldered to major connector.

The combination clasp consists of an occlusal rest, a cast metal

reciprocal arm, and a wrought-wire retentive arm. The wrought-
wire component is circular in cross section, thereby permitting
flexure in all directions. This can minimize the transfer of potentially
harmful forces to the abutment.
The combination clasp is most frequently indicated on an
abutment adjacent to a Kennedy Class I or Class II posterior
edentulous area when the usable undercut is located at the
mesiofacial line angle of the most posterior abutment.
Masticatory loading causes the prosthesis to rotate around a
fulcrum line. As the prosthesis rotates, the retentive clasp moves
occlusally. Omnidirectional flexure of the wrought-wire retentive
arm permits partial dissipation of applied forces. Hence, the
combination clasp is kinder to the associated abutment than a
traditional half-round clasp arm would be.

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2. Divided Major Connector (split bar):

• The vertical forces applied on distal extension base must pass

anteriorly along the lower bar and then back along a more rigid
upper bar to reach abutment tooth.

• The tipping forces that would otherwise be transmitted directly to

abutment teeth are dissipated by flexibility of lower bar and
distance traveled.

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3. Clasps having stress breaking effect:

a. RPI System

R=rest mesially located

P=proximal plate on abutment distally

I=I bar buccally

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The retentive tip is positioned mesial to the mesiodistal height of

contour. The proximal plate is diminished in all directions and does not
terminate on the soft tissues. When a functional load is applied to the
extension base, the proximal plate disengages from the guiding plane,
and the I-bar moves toward the mesial embrasure leaving the tooth thus
minimizing the amount of forces applied on the abutment.
b. RPA system:
R=rest mesially located, P=proximal plate, A= Aker's clasp(retentive arm
only)

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4. Disjunct Removable partial denture:
• Tooth borne & mucosa-borne parts of denture are disjoined.
• Tooth borne part providing splinting of remaining teeth & only
retention for mucosa borne part.
• The tooth borne part is a lingual plate and thus provides
stabilization for the remaining teeth.
• The tissue borne part is a lingual bar which consists of denture bases
along with the teeth at its terminals.
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REMENBER!

Regardless of their design, most of stress-breakers effectively

dissipate vertical stresses, which is the purpose for which they are
used. However, this occurs at the expense of horizontal stability and
the harmful effects of reduced horizontal stability (excessive ridge
resorption, tissue impingement, inefficient mastication), which far
outweigh the benefits of vertical stress-breaking.

DISADVANTAGES OF STRESS BREAKERS

1. Lack of occlusal stability.
2. Not provide bracing for lateral forces
3. Improper control of forces distribution between the dentulous and
edentulous areas.
4. The denture is more difficult to fabricate and therefore more costly.
5. If relining is not done when needed excessive resorption of the
residual ridge may result.
6. Flexible connectors may be bent and fractured by careless handling
and by repeated flexing; more stress will be applied on the
abutment.
7. Repair and maintenance of any stress breaker are difficult, costly,
and frequently required.
8. All mechanical devices those are free to move in the mouth in collect
debris and become unclean. And some split connector is used as
stress breaker pinch the underlying soft tissue or the tongue as they
open and close under function.

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