Seminar no .

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DIRECT RETAINERS
Retention:- "retention is that quality inherent in the prosthesis which resists the force of
gravity, the adhesiveness of foods, and the forces associated with the opening of the jaws"
A direct retainer: is any unit of a removable dental prosthesis that engages an abutment tooth
or implant to resist displacement of the prosthesis away from basal seat tissue.
Or , "It is that component part of a removable partial denture that is used to retain and prevent
dislodgement consisting of a clasp assembly or precision attachment"
- Primary retention for the removable partial denture is accomplished mechanically by placing
retaining elements (direct retainers) on the abutment teeth.
- Retention can also be provided through engagement of an attachment mechanism on a dental
implant.
Two basic types of direct retainers are available:
1. extra-coronal retainer or a clasp assembly , An extra coronal direct retainer is any unit of
a RPD that engages an abutment tooth or implant to resist , retain and prevent displacement of
the prosthesis (movement) away from basal seat tissue. by partially encircling or contacting an
abutment tooth".
2. intra-coronal retainer or precision attachment , Intra coronal direct retainers are called so
because a part or the whole of the retentive components are located within the anatomical
contour of the abutment teeth.

Extra Coronal Direct Retainer

Extra Coronal Direct Retainer (clasp assembly): A part of removable partial denture which act
as a direct retainer and/or stabilizer for the denture by partially encircling or contacting an
abutment tooth.

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The component parts of a clasp may be rigid or flexible. The flexible components are designed
below the height of contour so that they provide retention when they engage the undercut. All
the other parts are rigid and placed above the height of contour.
Parts of extra coronal direct retainers:
h
 Clasp arm (retentive and reciprocal arm)
 Rest
 Minor connector (Proximal plate)

Parts of extra coronal direct retainers (Aker's clasp ) :

1-clasp arm (retentive arm) :
 "A flexible segment of a removable partial denture which engages an undercut on an
abutment and which is designed to retain the denture".
 Retentive arm comprising (retentive clasp arm + retentive terminal )
 The retentive clasp arm is not flexible and is located above the height of contour .
 The retentive terminal is flexible and lies below the height of contour.
2-clasp arm(reciprocal arm) :
 "A clasp arm used on removable partial denture to oppose the action of retentive arm of
the prosthesis".
 It is located on the side of the tooth opposing to the retentive arm
 It is always placed in the supra-bulge area (above the height of contour)
 The rigid reciprocal arm can resist the rocking of the denture base .
3-Body : part of the clasp that connects the rests to the minor connectors. It is rigid and lies
above the height of contour.
4-Rest : -"A rigid (stabilizing) extension of a removable partial denture which contacts a
remaining tooth or teeth to dissipate vertical or horizontal forces".
-It is the part of the clasp that lies on the occlusal or lingual or incisal edge or surfaces of the
tooth. It resists tissue ward movement of the clasp by acting like a vertical stop and maintain
the retentive arm in position .
5-Minor connector (Proximal plate) : "The connecting link between the major connector or
base of a removable partial denture and other units of the prosthesis, such as clasps,
indirect retainers and occlusal rests".

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General functions of the reciprocal arm :
1. Provides stability and reciprocation against the retentive arm.
2. The denture is stabilized against horizontal movements.
3. Acts as an indirect retainer (prevents rocking) to a minor degree.

Functional Requirements of clasp assembly:

1. Retention: is important function of the clasp, is provided by the retentive tip of the
retentive arm of the clasp.
2. Stability (bracing): resistance to lateral movement (minor connector, reciprocal arm).
3. Support: resistance to gingival displacement (occlusal rest).
4. Reciprocation: it resistance the stresses generated by the retentive arm.
5. . Encirclement: the clasp should be encompassing more than 180 of the abutment tooth
to prevent dislodgment during function.
6. Passivity: when the clasp is in its place on the tooth, it should be at rest & exert no force.

Factors determine the amount of retention provided by the clasp arm:

1. Size of the angle of cervical convergence.
2. How far the clasp terminal is place into the angle of cervical convergence.
3. Flexibility of the clasp produced by:
a. The length of the clasp arm.
b. The diameter of the clasp arm.
c. The cross-sectional form.
d. The material used in making the clasp.

Basic principles of clasp design: h

1. Encirclement must be more than 180º in the greatest circumference of the tooth must be
engaged by the clasp assembly. The engagement can be either continuous such as in
circumferential clasp, or discontinuous such as in bar clasp, in both cases there are at least
three contacts encircling the tooth surface; occlusal rest, the retentive arm terminal and the
reciprocal arm terminal.
2. The occlusal rest must be designed to prevent movement of the clasp arm apically.
3. Retentive arms on abutment teeth adjacent to free extension bases should be designed so
that they will avoid rotational forces and tilting to the abutment.
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4. Retentive clasp should be bilaterally opposed, that buccal retention on one side of the arch
should be opposed by buccal retention on the other.
5. The amount of retention should always be the minimum necessary to resist dislodging
forces.
6. Reciprocal arm should be located at the junction of the gingival and middle thirds of the
crown, while the terminal end of retentive arm is placed in the gingival third.
CLASSIFICATION OF EXTRA-CORONAL RETAINERS

A. Supra-bulge clasps: (circumferential clasp, Akers clasps) the retentive arm approach the
undercut above the height of contour
B. Infra-bulge clasps: (gingivally approaching, bar clasps) the retentive arm approach the
undercut below the height of contour(infra- bulge)
A. Supra bulge clasps (pull type)
1. Circlet clasp.
2. Ring clasp.
3. Back action clasp.
4. Embrasure clasp.
5. Multiple clasps.
6. Half and half clasp.
7. Fish hook or hairpin clasp or Reverse action clasp.
8. Combination clasp.
9. Onlay clasp.
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 1. CIRCLET CLASP (C-CLASP)
Is the most common clasp used for RPD, the simple in design, it has a rigid reciprocal arm, a
rest, a proximal plate approximating the edentulous area, and a flexible retentive arm ending in
an undercut, it may be used on canines , premolars, and molars. f

Advantages:
a. Excellent bracing qualities
b. Easy to design and construct
c. Less potential for food accumulation
below the clasp compared to bar clasps
Disadvantages:
a. More tooth coverage than bar clasps
b. More metal is displayed than with bar or combination clasps
c. Adjustments are difficult or impossible due to the half-round nature of the clasp

2. Ring clasp
This clasp used in cases with lingally tipped mandibular molar abutment , where there is only a
distolingual undercut on the tooth. Where a reverse circlet clasp cannot be placed ( no buccal
undercut ) , It has mesial and distal rests and the reciprocal arm is continuously connecting the
two rests.
Advantages:
a. Excellent bracing (with supporting strut), (the clasp is long)
b. Allows use of an available undercut adjacent to the
edentulous area
Disadvantages:
a. Covers a large area of the tooth surface, therefore requiring meticulous hygiene
b. Very difficult to adjust due to the extreme rigidity of the reciprocal arms
c. The lower bracing arm should be at least 1 mm from the free gingival margin and relieved to
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prevent impingement of the gingival tissues.

3. Back action clasp

It is a modification of the ring clasp. Here the minor connector is connected to the end of the
clasp arm and the occlusal rest is left unsupported.
Disadvantages:
- Lack of support to the occlusal rest reduce its function

4. Embrasure clasp (Butterfly clasp) j

 It is a combination of two simple circlet clasps joined at the end of the body .
 this clasp has double occlusal rests, two retentive arms and two reciprocal arms , It may
be used on two molars, a molar and premolar or two premolars.
 It is used on the side of the arch where there is no edentulous space
 The clasp crosses the marginal ridges of the two teeth to form the double occlusal rest .
 The clasp
- Interproximal tooth structure should be removed to provide sufficient thickness of metal. The
clasp may break if the metal is too thin
Advantages:
Allows placement of direct retainer where none could otherwise be placed (especially
contralateral to the edentulous span on a Class II case)
Disadvantages
1. Occlusal rest should be prepared on both the teeth.
2. Difficult to get occlusal clearance.
3. A large amount of tooth surface covered that can cause decalcification and caries.
4. Minimum flexibility and cannot be used in distal extension bases.
5. Not aesthetic.
Indication

 When spacing is present between two teeth.

 It is used in Kennedy’s class II and class III cases without any modification.

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5. Multiple clasp

 It is a combination of two circlet clasps joined at the terminal end of the reciprocal arms.
 It is used when additional retention and stabilization are needed.
Disadvantages:
1. A large amount of tooth surface covered that can cause decalcification and caries.
2. Minimum flexibility and cannot be used in distal extension bases.
3. Not aesthetic.
6. HALF & HALF CLASP
 It has a retentive arm arising from one direction and a reciprocal arm arising from
another.
 Two minor connectors are needed for this design.
 The first minor connector attaches the occlusal rest and the retentive arm to the major
connector.
 The second minor connector connects the reciprocal arm with or without occlusal rest.
 This design is used to provide dual retention.

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 7. FISH HOOK OR HAIRPIN OR REVERSE-ACTION CLASP
The fishhook or hairpin clasp is another modification of the circlet clasp. Which after crossing
the facial surface of the tooth loops back to engage the proximal undercut beneath its point of
origin .
It is used in conditions where the undercut is near the edentulous space .
The upper arm is rigid and the lower arm is flexible

Advantages:
Allows use of undercut adjacent to edentulous space
Disadvantages
1. It only can be used in the tooth with adequate occlusogingival height.
2. There tends to be food accumulation between the upper and lower clasp arms.
3. The upper arm can cause occlusal interference in tight occlusion of the upper and lower arch.
4. poor aesthetic
5. Minimum flexibility and cannot be used in distal extension bases.
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8. Combination clasp:
Indication:

 A cast circumferential clasp cannot be used when an undercut is adjacent to the

edentulous space , as it will produce destructive rotatory force on the distal abutment.
 A flexible wrought wire retentive arm is used to replace the ridged cast alloy retentive
arm , these clasps are called combination clasps as they combine the two :
- It is used in maxillary canines and premolars due to its superior aesthetics .
Design:
1. Component parts are:
a) Rest.
b) Minor connector.
c) Wrought wire circumferential retentive clasp arm.
d) Cast circumferential bracing clasp arm.
2. Engages 0.01-0.02 inch undercut.
3. Provides bilateral bracing, but less than a cast circumferential clasp.
Advantages:
1 Flexibility.
2. Adjustability.
3. Aesthetics.
4. Minimum of tooth surface covered.
5. It can flex in all directions.

Disadvantages:
1 Extra steps in fabrication.
2. May be distorted by careless handling.
3. Poor stability.

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9. Onlay clasp

- It is an extension metal crown or onlay with buccal and lingual clasp arm.
- It is used in the occlusal surface of submerged abutment teeth (that are below the occlusal
plane) so that the normal occlusal plane can be restored with an onlay.
- If the onlay clasp is made of chrome alloy, the opposing tooth should be protected with a gold
crown. Because the chrome alloy can produce massive attrition of enamel.
- This clasp covers large amount of tooth structure, it may lead to breakdown of enamel
structure. It should be used only in a caries resistant mouth.

B. Infra-bulge clasps: (gingivally approaching, bar clasps)

Bar clasp originates from the denture framework or a metal base and approaches the retentive
undercut from a gingival direction.
* The push-type retention of bar clasps is more effective than the pull retention of a
circumferential clasp.

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Advantages:

1. Greater retention than occlusal approaching due to the tripping action.

2. It is more esthetic than the occlusal approaching clasps.
3. The flexibility of the bar clasp arm can be controlled by its taper and length.
4. Covers less tooth structure than the occlusal approaching clasp (less caries susceptibility).
Disadvantages:

1. Greater tendency to collect and hold food debris (more gingival irritation).
2. The retentive arm does not contribute to bracing and stability.
Indications:
1. On abutment for tooth-supported or tooth-mucosa supported RPD when there is distobuccal
undercut.
2. In situations in which esthetics is important.
Contraindication:
1. When a deep cervical tooth undercut exists.
2. When a severe tissue undercut exists.
3. When there is a shallow vestibule.
4. When there is an excessive buccal or lingual tilt of the tooth.
5. When the height of the contour is close to the occlusal surface of the tooth.

Bar clasps Types :

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A- Bar clasp ( Roach Clasp , Infrabulge ) : is a type of extracoronal retainer that originates from
the denture base or framework , traverses soft tissue and approaches the tooth under cut area
from a gingival direction
Parts of bar clasp: The retentive arm in bar clasp comprises for two parts namely the gingival
approach arm and the retentive tip or terminal.
• Approach arm: it is a minor connector that connects the retentive tip to the denture
base; it is semi-circular in cross section and should cross the gingival margin at a right angle.
• Retentive terminal: it varies for each type of bar clasp; it should end on the surface of the
tooth below the undercut. It helps to give a push type retention force.
Design:
1. Parts Component: It is usually used as a combination clasp form.
a) Rest.
b) Minor connector.
c) A cast bar retentive clasp arm.
d) A cast circumferential bracing clasp arm.
2. It provides unilateral bracing.
3. Engages 0.01-inch undercut.
4. The shape of the retentive terminal as a T, Y, or I classify the bar clasp.

Types of infra-bulge retentive arm (Types of bar clasps):

* Bar clasp arms generally are used on the buccal surfaces of teeth in combination with lingual
circumferential clasp arms , Some types of bar clasps e.g. “I” bar are “Push” type having a
tripping action.
The bar clasp arm is classified by the shape of the retentive terminal :

1. T-clasp retentive arm.

2. Modified T-clasp retentive arm.
3. Y-clasp retentive arm.
4. I-bar or I-clasp retentive arm.

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 RPI System

It is a modification of I bar RPD , it further reduce the tooth contact of the retainer .
It consist from the following :
1. Mesio occlusal rest (premolar ) with minor connector placed into the mesiolingual
embrasure
2. Distal proximal plate
3. I – bar located in the gingival third of buccal or labial surface of the abutment tooth .
Indication: Commonly used in free end extension partial dentures.
Design:
A. Mesial rest.
B. Minor connector; placed into the mesiolingual embrasure, but not contacting the adjacent
tooth.
C. Proximal plate contacts approximately 1 mm of the gingival portion of the guiding plane.
D. Cast I bar retentive clasp arm located at the mesiobuccal prominence of the tooth or mesial
to it.
E. Engages 0.01-inch undercut.
Advantage of this design :
1. Minimal tooth contact /or coverage by metal
2. Denture are more easy to maintain with this design.

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