CONNECTORS IN FIXED

PARTIAL DENTURES
CONNECTORS IN FIXED PARTIAL
DENTURES
 CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION
DIMENSIONS OF CONNECTOR
TYPES OF CONNECTORS
1. RIGID CONNECTORS
i) Cast connectors
ii) Soldered connectors
- Solder, flux, antiflux
- Heat source for soldering
- Pre and post ceramic soldering
iii) Loop connectors
2. NON-RIGID CONNECTORS
i) Tenon-mortise connector
ii) Split pontic connector
iii) Cross-pin and wing connector

 LITRATURE REVIEW
SUMMARY
REFERENCES
 INTRODUCTION

 The shape of an FPD is not uniform. Its contour has a complex

combination of multiple convexities and concavities,
depending on the geometry of the teeth and their alignment.

 In particular, the connector area has a narrow constriction for

biologic and esthetic reasons, and these sites in FPDs represent
stress concentrations relative to the average stress levels within
other areas of the prosthesis.

 Failures occur most often, around connector areas between

retainers and pontics.
 COMPONENTS OF FIXED PARTIAL DENTURE

 ABUTMENT: 1. that part of a structure that directly receives

thrust or pressure; an anchorage; 2. a tooth, a portion of a tooth, or
that portion of a dental implant that serves to support and/or retain
a prosthesis.

 RETAINER : the part of a fixed partial denture or fixed complete

denture that unites the abutment(s) to the remainder of the
restoration.

 PONTIC : an artificial tooth on a fixed partial denture that

replaces a missing natural tooth, restores its function, and usually
restores the space previously occupied by the clinical crown.

GLOSSARY OF PROSTHODONTICS TERMS – 9th EDITION

 COMPONENTS OF FIXED PARTIAL DENTURE

Connector is defined as, the portion of a fixed partial denture that

unites the retainer(s) and pontic(s).

GLOSSARY OF PROSTHODONTICS TERMS – 9th EDITION

 WHY IS CONNECTOR DESIGN IMPORTANT ?

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 WHY IS CONNECTOR DESIGN IMPORTANT ?
• Incisocervically, hygiene is impeded, and
over time, periodontal failure will occur, if the
connector is too large.

• Faciolingually, the tissue surface of

connectors is curved and highly polished, to
facilitate cleansing.

• Mesiodistally, it is shaped to create a smooth

transition from one partial FDP component to
the next.

• Buccolingual cross-section, most connectors

have a somewhat elliptical shape.
Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition
 DIMENSIONS OF A CONNECTOR

CROSS SECTIONAL VIEW

OF CONNECTORS IN
FIXED PARTIAL DENTURES

MAXILLARY MAXILLARY
ANTERIORS POSTERIORS

MANDIBULAR
POSTERIORS

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 DIMENSIONS OF A CONNECTOR

The minimal recommended connector cross section area is

12-16 mm2

The recommend occlusogingival (vertical height) height of a

connector is 3 to 4 mm .

Oh and Anusavice suggested that the fracture probability may

be significantly reduced by using a connector with a curvature
radius of approximately 0.9 mm.

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

Oh WS, Anusavice KJ. Effect of connector design on the fracture resistance of all-ceramic fixed partial dentures. The
Journal of prosthetic dentistry. 2002 May 1;87(5):536-42
Rezaei SM, Heidarifar H, Arezodar FF, Azary A, Mokhtarykhoee S. Influence of connector width on the stress
distribution of posterior bridges under loading. Journal of Dentistry (Tehran, Iran). 2011;8(2):67.
 TYPES OF CONNECTORS

CONNECTORS

RIGID CONNECTORS NON-RIGID CONNECTORS

Cast Connectors Tenon-mortise Connectors

Soldered Connectors Split Connectors

Loop Connectors Cross-pin & wing Connectors

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 CAST CONNECTORS

• Rigid connector is defined as a cast,

soldered, or fused union between the
retainer(s) and pontic(s) or splinted
crowns.

• Rigid connections in metal can be made

by casting, soldering, or welding.

• Rigid connectors must be shaped and

incorporated into the wax pattern after
the individual retainers and pontics
have been completed to final contour.

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 RIGID CONNECTORS

INDICATION
Rigid connectors do not allow any movement and are indicated
when the entire masticatory load is to be transferred onto the
abutments.

CONTRAINDICATION
• Long span fixed dental prosthesis.

• Tilted abutments.

• During the mandibular opening and closing stroke, the mandible

flexes mediolaterally. Rigid FDPs have been shown to inhibit
mandibular flexure.
Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition
 CAST CONNECTORS

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 CAST CONNECTORS

Advantage :
• Cast connectors are convenient and minimize the number of
steps involved in the laboratory fabrication.

Disadvantage :

• Access to the proximal margin is impeded, and the pattern

cannot be held proximally during removal from the die.

• One-piece castings often appear to simplify fabrication but tend

to create more problems than do soldered connectors, especially
as pattern complexity increases.
Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition
 SOLDERED CONNECTORS

• Soldered connectors involve the use of an intermediate metal

alloy whose melting temperature is lower than that of the parent
metal.Soldering rigid connectors are generally fabricated above
450°C.

• Welding is another method of rigidly joining metal parts. In

welding, the connection is created by melting adjacent surfaces
with heat or pressure. A filler metal whose melting temperature
is about the same as that of the parent metal can be used during
welding.

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 INDICATION OF SOLDERING

Apart from fabricating connectors in fixed partial dentures,

soldering can also be used to:

1. Add proximal contact.

2. Repair casting voids.
3. Repair single piece fixed partial dentures with poor seating.
4. In tooth and implant connected FPD soldered connectors are
generally advocated.
 SOLDERING GAP WIDTH

• An even soldering gap of about 0.25mm is recommended.

• As gap width increases soldering accuracy decreases.

• Extremely small gap width can prevent proper solder flow and
lead to an incomplete or weak joint.

• If a connector area has an uneven soldering gap width,

obtaining a connector of adequate cross-sectional dimension
without resulting distortion is more difficult.

Science of Dental Materials 13th edition - Anusavice,Phillips

 SOLDERING

Requirements of a solder:

1. Lower fusion temperature than the alloys being soldered (at

least55°C lower)
2. Corrosion resistant
3. Strong
4. Nonpitting
5. Free flowing
6. Similar colour as metals being soldered

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 SOLDERING

ARMAMENTARIUM:

1. SOLDER
2. FLUX
3. ANTIFLUX
4. HEAT SOURCE

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 SOLDER
A solder is defined as a fusible metal alloy, distinguishable
between the two uniting metals, used to unite the edges or
surfaces of two pieces of metal; something that unites or cements

Gold-based solders -
• Mainly composed of Au–Ag–Cu to which zinc, tin and indium
have been added to control melting temperature and flow.

Silver-based solders -
• Composed mainly of Ag–Cu–Zn to which small amounts of tin
have been added. They can be used for base metal alloys.

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 SOLDERING FLUX

FLUX
Any substance applied to surfaces to be joined by brazing,
soldering or welding to clean and free them from oxides and
promote union (GPT8).

• For noble metals, the flux used is composed of borax glass

(55%), boric acid (35%) and silica (10%).

• The composition of flux for base metal alloys is fluoride based.

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 SOLDERING

ANTIFLUX

Antifluxes are materials that prevent or confine solder attachment

or flow.

They prevent flow of excess solder into undesirable areas.

Graphite (pencil) is used as antiflux, but it evaporates at high
temperatures. Iron oxide (rouge) in chloroform or turpentine can
also be used.

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 HEAT SOURCE SOLDERING

Torch: A gas–air or gas–oxygen flame torch as described for

casting is most commonly used for soldering. As for casting, the
reducing part of the flame should be used to prevent oxidation.

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 HEAT SOURCE SOLDERING

OVEN SOLDERING
• This is performed in a furnace
under vacuum or air. The soldering
index along with the castings and
the solder is heated in a furnace up
to the melting temperature of the
solder.

• Although a strong joint is obtained,

the melting of solder cannot be
observed and the longer the solder
is molten, it can dissolve the parent
metal producing a weak joint.
Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition
 HEAT SOURCE SOLDERING

Laser welding

This has demonstrated joints

with high strength and reduced
corrosion compared to
conventional torch soldering.
Fatigue failure has been a
problem. It may be more
suitable to solder titanium.

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 PRECERAMIC SOLDERING

Soldering metal-ceramic fixed partial dentures performed

before ceramic application.

Advantages :
• Trial of the soldered prosthesis can be done in an unglazed state.
• Any adjustments required on porcelain can be made.

Disadvantages :
• Contouring proximal embrasures is difficult.
• As porcelain has to be applied to a longer structure, sag may be
a problem with some alloys.

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 POSTCERAMIC SOLDERING

Soldering metal-ceramic fixed partial dentures performed

after ceramic application.

Advantages:
• Proximal surface can be shaped properly.
• No problem of sag.

Disadvantage:
• Adjustments on porcelain not possible after soldering, as it has
to be finished completely before the soldering procedure.

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 SOLDERING PROCEDURE

INTRA-ORAL SOLDER INDEX

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 SOLDERING PROCEDURE

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition

 SOLDERING PROCEDURE

Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4 th edition

 LOOP CONNECTORS

The connector consists of a loop

on the lingual aspect of the
prosthesis that connects
adjacent retainers and/or
pontics.

It is most often indicated in

replacing missing maxillary
central incisor when a diastema
is desired. Not used with
mandibular replacements as the
connector can cause tongue
interference.
Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition
 LOOP CONNECTORS

•A

Kalra A, Gowda ME, Verma K. Aesthetic rehabilitation with multiple loop connectors. Contemporary clinical
dentistry. 2013 Jan;4(1):112.
 NON – RIGID CONNECTORS

NONRIGID CONNECTOR:
Any connector that permits limited
movement between otherwise independent members of a fixed
partial denture. (GPT – 9)

TYPES
• Tenon-mortise connector
• Split pontic connector
• Cross-pin and wing connector
 NON – RIGID CONNECTORS
INDICATIONS

• When it is not possible to prepare two abutments for a partial

FDP with a common path of placement.

• Long span, FPD which can be distort and affect the fitting of
the prosthesis on the teeth.

• In the mandibular arch, FPD consisting of anterior and posterior

segments, a non rigid connector is indicated as the mandible
flexes mediolaterally during opening and closing strokes.

Akulwar RS, Kodgi A. Non-rigid connector for managing pier abutment in FPD: A case report. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research:
JCDR. 2014 Jul;8(7):ZD12.
 NON – RIGID CONNECTORS
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
• If the abutment presents significant mobility.

• If the span between the abutments is longer than one tooth, because
the stresses transferred to the abutment tooth under soldered retainer
would be destructive.

• If the posterior retainer and pontic are opposed by a removable partial

denture or an edentulous ridge while the two anterior retainers are
opposed by natural dentition.

• Pulp size and clinical crown height can be limiting factors in the
design of nonrigid connectors.
Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition
Akulwar RS, Kodgi A. Non-rigid connector for managing pier abutment in FPD: A case report. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research:
JCDR. 2014 Jul;8(7):ZD12.
 TENON-MORTISE CONNECTOR
The tenon (male component) is
attached to the pontic and the mortise
(female component) is attached to the
retainer. Their alignment must be
parallel to the path of placement.

The mortise is usually placed on

the distal aspect of the anterior
retainer. Accurate alignment of the
dovetail or cylindrically shaped
mortise is crucial; it must parallel
the path of placement of the distal
retainer.
Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4th edition
 TENON-MORTISE CONNECTOR

Badwaik PV, Pakhan AJ. Non-rigid connectors in fixed prosthodontics: Current concepts with a case report. J Indian
Prosthodont Soc. 2005 Jun 1;5:99-102.
 SPLIT PONTIC

• Split pontic is only indicated in

pier abutment cases. It is an
attachment that is placed entirely
within the pontic.

• Mesial segment which is cemented

first had the distal shoe that is
gingival portion of pontic.

• Distal segment covers the

mesiogingival part of pontic When
the distal retainer is cemented.

Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics - Shillingburg 3 rd edition

 CROSS-PIN AND WING
• The cross pin and wing are the
working elements of a two-
piece pontic system that allows
two segments to be rigidly fixed
after the retainers have been
cemented on their respective
abutment preparations.

• The wing should parallel the

path of insertion of the mesial
abutment. The wing along with
the distal retainer is termed
retainer wing component.
Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics - Shillingburg 3 rd edition
 CROSS-PIN AND WING

The pontic is attached to the mesial retainer and is designed to fit

the wing component. The pontic along with the mesial retainer is
termed as the retainer pontic component.

Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics - Shillingburg 3 rd edition

INFLUENCE OF CONNECTOR DESIGN, DIMENSION,
MATERIAL AND ARCH POSITION
VS
SUCCESS OF THE FIXED PARTIAL DENTURE
PROSTHESIS
 INFLUENCE OF CONNECTOR DESIGN ON FRACTURE
PROBABILITY OF CERAMIC FIXED PARTIAL DENTURE

• The radius of curvature at the gingival

embrasure strongly affects the fracture
resistance of all-ceramic FPD.

• Fracture mechanics principles can

provide critically important
information for the identification of
sensitive design factors and probable
fracture sites in clinical prostheses.
Oh WS, Götzen N, Anusavice KJ. Influence of connector design on fracture probability of ceramic fixed-
partial dentures. Journal of dental research. 2002 Sep;81(9):623-7.
Oh WS, Anusavice KJ. Effect of connector design on the fracture resistance of all-ceramic fixed partial
dentures. The Journal of prosthetic dentistry. 2002 May 1;87(5):536-42.
 EFFECT OF CONNECTOR DESIGN ON FRACTURE
RESISTANCE IN ZIRCONIA-BASED FIXED PARTIAL
DENTURES FOR UPPER ANTERIOR REGION

• The cross sectional area of the connector of an fixed partial

denture framework for use in the upper anterior region should
be > 5.0 mm2 .

• The connector should be triangular and have a gingival base

and sufficient height in the loading direction.

Ogino Y, Nomoto S, Sato T. Effect of Connector Design on Fracture Resistance in Zirconia-based Fixed
Partial Dentures for Upper Anterior Region. The Bulletin of Tokyo Dental College. 2016;57(2):65-74.
 STRESS ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS OF NONRIGID CONNECTORS
ON FIXED PARTIAL DENTURES WITH PIER ABUTMENTS

• The stress distributions and values of an FPD and a pier

abutment are affected by the presence and location of a nonrigid
connector.

• The area of minimum stress concentration occurs in pier

abutments when a nonrigid connector is located at the distal
region of the pier abutment for a 5-unit FPD (mandibular
canine, second premolar, and second molar as abutments) with
a pier abutment.

Oruc S, Eraslan O, Tukay HA, Atay A. Stress analysis of effects of nonrigid connectors on fixed partial dentures with
pier abutments. The Journal of prosthetic dentistry. 2008 Mar 1;99(3):185-92.
BIOMECHANICAL INTERACTIONS IN TOOTH–IMPLANT‐SUPPORTED
FIXED PARTIAL DENTURES WITH VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF
SPLINTED TEETH AND CONNECTOR TYPE: A FINITE ELEMENT
ANALYSIS
• Tooth-implant supported FPD is suggested as a treatment option
in a distal free-end partial edentulous situation.

• The main effect of the loading types, number of splinted teeth

and connector types at each level for maximal stress in implant,
alveolar bone and prosthesis can be found.

• The loading condition for the splinting system was the main
factor affecting stress development in the implant, alveolar bone
and prosthesis.
Lin CL, Wang JC, Chang WJ. Biomechanical interactions in tooth–implant ‐supported fixed partial dentures with
variations in the number of splinted teeth and connector type: a finite element analysis. Clinical oral implants research.
2008 Jan;19(1):107-17.
 THE INFLUENCE OF THE LOADING MODE ON THE STRESS
DISTRIBUTION ON THE CONNECTOR REGION OF METAL‐
CERAMIC AND ALL‐CERAMIC FIXED PARTIAL DENTURE

• Under the physiologic load, the highest principal stresses

occurred on the cervical embrasure of the premolar and molar
connectors, and the cervical region of the pontic.

• The highest values of tensile stress were found at the occlusal

embrasure of both connectors.

• When the loads were applied on the pontic, the highest stress
values appeared on the connector areas between the abutments
and the pontic.
Motta AB, Pereira LC, Da Cunha AR, Duda FP. The influence of the loading mode on the stress distribution on the
connector region of metal‐ceramic and all‐ceramic fixed partial denture. Artificial organs. 2008 Apr;32(4):283-91.
A THREE-DIMENSION FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS TO EVALUATE
THE STRESS DISTRIBUTION IN TOOTH SUPPORTED 5-UNIT
INTERMEDIATE ABUTMENT PROSTHESIS WITH RIGID AND
NONRIGID CONNECTOR

• With the use of nonrigid connector, the stresses decreased

slightly at the level of prosthesis that is, the connector region
and the cervical margin of the prosthesis but, increased to a
comparatively greater value at the level of alveolar bone.

•  Deformation was more at the pier abutment as compared to

terminal abutments and also in rigid connectors as compared to
nonrigid connectors.

Modi R, Kohli S, Rajeshwari K, Bhatia S. A three-dimension finite element analysis to evaluate the stress distribution in
tooth supported 5-unit intermediate abutment prosthesis with rigid and nonrigid connector. European journal of
dentistry. 2015 Apr;9(2):255.
 SUMMARY

• Connectors join individual retainers and pontics.

• Rigid or nonrigid connectors can be used.

• Connector size, shape, and position influence the success of a

fixed partial denture.
 REFERENCES
 Contemporary Fixed Prosthodontics – Rosenstiel 4rd edition

 Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics - Shillingburg 3rd edition

 Science of Dental Materials – Anusavice 11th edition

Lugassy AA, Moffa JP, Ellison JA. Cast glass ceramic crowns: a one year clinical
study. CDA J1986 Dec;14(12):72-81.

Kelly JR, Tesk JA, Sorensen JA. Failure of all ceramic fixed partial dentures in
vitro and in vivo:analysis and modeling. J Dent Res 1995 Jun;74(6):1253-8.

Sorensen JA, Cruz M, Mito WT, Raffeiner O,Meredith HR, Foser HP. A clinical
investigation on three unit fixed partial dentures fabricated with a lithium disilicate
glass-ceramic. Pract PeriodonticsAesthet Dent 1999 Jan-Feb;11(1):95-106
 REFERENCES
Rezaei SM, Heidarifar H, Arezodar FF, Azary A, Mokhtarykhoee S. Influence
of connector width on the stress distribution of posterior bridges under
loading. Journal of Dentistry (Tehran, Iran). 2011;8(2):67.

Oh WS, Anusavice KJ. Effect of connector design on the fracture resistance of
all-ceramic fixed partial dentures. The Journal of prosthetic dentistry. 2002
May 1;87(5):536-42.

Badwaik PV, Pakhan AJ. Non-rigid connectors in fixed prosthodontics:

Current concepts with a case report. J Indian Prosthodont Soc. 2005 Jun
1;5:99-102.

Lin CL, Wang JC, Chang WJ. Biomechanical interactions in tooth–implant ‐supported
fixed partial dentures with variations in the number of splinted teeth and connector
type: a finite element analysis. Clinical oral implants research. 2008 Jan;19(1):107-17.
THANK YOU