DIRECT RETAINERS

Part- II
IDEAL REQUIREMENT OF CLASP DESIGN

 Retention
 Stabilization
 Support
 Reciprocation
 Encirclement
 Passivity
Retention

 The retention is the property which enables the clasp

to resist dislodgement from the tooth

 Clasp
tip terminating below the HOC resists upward
movement as it has to undergo deformation

 Thisdegree of deformation determines the amount of

clasp retention
 GRAVITY

MASTICATION DEGLUTITION

DISLODGING
SPEECH FORCE STICKY FOOD
Amount of retention depends on

 The flexibility of clasp arm

 Amount of Undercut

 The length of the clasp arm that extend

below the HOC
The flexibility of clasp arm

Length of the clasp arm

 Greater the length , greater is the flexibility

 Flexure is directly proportional to cube of length

 Increase in clasp flexibility , decreases the

horizontal stress (Force of holding) on the
abutment tooth
The flexibility of clasp arm
Diameter of the clasp arm

 Flexibility inversely proportional to diameter

???
 A uniform tapper is essential for the

retentive arm
 The clasp should be half as thick at the tip

as at the origin
Cross section
 Round clasp has more flexibility than the half round

The type of alloy

 Chrome alloy have lower resiliency than Gold. So gold is more
flexible

 An alloy in wrought form is more flexible than the same alloy of

identical diameter in cast form because of its internal
structure.
Amount of Undercut
 Measured using undercut gauge and expressed as
1/1000 of a inch

 Greater the undercut, flexibility of clasp should be ???

 Cast chrome are placed in undercut of 0.010”

 Cast gold in 0.15 “ undercut

 Wrought alloy for a max undercut, 0.020 “

Stabilization/ stability
 Stability is the resistance which the clasp contributes to
displacement of the prosthesis in a horizontal plane.

 All clasp components except the retentive terminals contribute to

stability in varying degrees.

 Greatest amount of stabilization is provided by cast

circumferential clasp
 Support

 Is the quality of clasp assembly that resists the displacement of

a prosthesis in an gingival direction.


 The primary support unit of the clasp is Occlusal, lingual or

incisal Rest .

 The body and shoulder which is placed above the height of

Contour also aids in support.
Encirclement
 Clasp assembly must be designed to provide direct contact
more than180 degrees of the tooth circumference.

 Can be as continuous contact as in Circumferential clasp

and broken contact in bar clasp

 In broken contact , it should contact at least in 3 diff areas

 It prevents movement of the tooth away from clasp during
function
Reciprocation
 Reciprocation is the quality of a clasp assembly that counteracts lateral
displacement of an abutment when the retentive clasp terminus passes
over the height of contour.

 Reciprocal element must be rigid and must contact the abutment tooth at
or above to the height of contour

 During insertion of the prosthesis, the reciprocal element should contact

the abutments slightly before the retentive arm contacts the abutment.
 Derived from reciprocal arm or lingual plate
 Axial surface of abutment must be parallel to
path of insertion
Passivity
 Passivity is the quality of clasp assembly that does not exert
adverse forces on the abutment when the prosthesis is
completely seated.

 It should not exert pressure on the tooth until it is activated by

the movement of the prosthesis in function

 An active clasp will cause pain and discomfort of the

abutment tooth.
 Classification of extra cornal
retainers
 Circumferential clasp  Bar clasp

Occlusally approaching Gingivally abroaching

Infra Bulge Clasp/Bar Clasp
 Dr F Ewing Roach – 1900
 Also called as Roach clasp
 Push type of retention – more effective than
pull type
 More esthetic
Infra Bulge Clasp/Bar Clasp

A. Rest
C. Reciprocal arm
D. Minor Connector
Advantages:

 Minimal tooth contact and minimal distortion of normal tooth contours

 Improved esthetics if the approach portion of the arm is not visible as

it crosses the gingiva.

 Decreased torquing forces applied to terminal abutments in extension

RPD.

 Large undercut can be engaged.

Disadvantages:
1. Cannot be used in the presence of soft tissue undercuts
shallow vestibule and high frenum attachments.

2. Bracing action provided by bar clasp is considerable less

than that provided by cast circumferential clasps.

3. Food entrapment.

4. Difficult to fabricate and adjust.

Design principles
 The approach arm of the bar clasp must not impinge on
the soft tissue.

 Minor connector that attaches the occlusal rest to the

frame work should be strong and rigid to provide some
bracing.

 The approach arm must always be tapered uniformly.

 The approach arm should cross the gingival
margin at a 90 degree angle.

 The bar retentive clasp is used only when the

retentive undercut is adjacent to the edentulous
area from which the approach arm originate

 Retentive terminus should be places as far

apically on the tooth to prevent leverage.
 Types

A. Approach arm - H
B. Approach arm – V
C. Approach arm crossing
free gingival margin
D. 1st point of contact
E. Retentive terminal
F. Reciprocal arm

T- clasp
Modified T- Clasp

A. Approach arm - H
B. Approach arm – V
C. Approach arm crossing
free gingival margin
D. 1st point of contact
E. Retentive terminal
Y - Clasp
I- Bar