INDIRECT RETAINERS

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 INDIRECT RETAINER
The component of a partial removable dental
prosthesis that assists the direct retainer(s) in
preventing displacement of the distal
extension denture base by functioning
through lever action on the opposite side of
the fulcrum line when the denture base
moves away from the tissues in pure rotation
around the fulcrum line.
Glossary of prosthodontic terms

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 Fulcrum line : is a theoretical line around which
a removable dental prosthesis tends to rotate.
• Fulcrum line passes through most posterior
abutments.

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• Tooth supported RPDs possesses adequate
stability and retention to resist functional
displacement.
• Tooth tissue supported RPDs will rotate
toward or away from the residual ridge when
subjected to occlusal forces or the pull of
sticky foods.

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 Forces acting to dislodge the prosthesis in an
occlusal direction
● Gravity .
● Sticky foods .
● The tongue and buccinator muscle during
speech, mastication, or swallowing.

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 Principles for using indirect retainers:
• IR must be placed as far as possible from the
distal extension base for better leverage
advantage.
• Most effective location is the incisor region
but due to their poor strength canines or
premolars are used.

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Factors influencing the effectiveness of IR:
1. Effectiveness of the direct retainer;
The principal occlusal rests on the primary
abutment teeth must be held in their seats by
the retentive arms of the direct retainers
→rotation about an axis →activate the IR.
2. Proper location of indirect retainer;
a. Length of the distal extension base.
b. Location of the fulcrum line.
c. How far beyond the fulcrum line the IR is
placed .
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Factors influencing the effectiveness of IR:

3. Rigidity of connectors supporting the IR.

4. Effectiveness of supporting tooth surfaces.
must be placed on a definite rest seat to
prevent slippage or tooth movement .

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 5. The length, fitness, and extent of the distal
extension base.
• If there is no alternative to mucosal support the
indirect retainer should cover a sufficiently
wide area to spread the load and avoid mucosal
injury.
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Auxiliary functions of indirect retainers:
1) Reduces tilting forces on the abutments.
2) Aids in stabilization against horizontal
movement , also act as auxiliary guiding planes.
.
3) Splints the anterior teeth against lingual
movement.
4) Act as an auxiliary rest to support a portion of
the major connector ------ stress distribution.
5) Helps in reline an extension base partial
denture.
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Forms of indirect retainers:
1. Auxiliary occlusal Rest :
• The most commonly used.
• In Class I arch, this location is usually on the mesial
marginal ridge of the first premolar on each side of
the arch.

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 Indirect retainers for Class II partial dentures
are placed on the mesial marginal ridge of the
first premolar tooth on the opposite side.
 Bilateral rests are indicated when:
a) an auxiliary occlusal rest is needed for
support of the major connector.
b) when the prognosis of the distal abutment is
poor .

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2. Canine Rests:
• When the mesial marginal ridge of the first
premolar is too close to the fulcrum line.

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 3. Canine Extensions From Occlusal Rests:
• A finger extension from a premolar rest is placed on
the prepared lingual slope of the adjacent canine
tooth.
• Effects of indirect retention by increasing the
distance from the fulcrum line.
• Used when a first premolar
serve as a primary abutment.

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 4. Cingulum Bars (Continuous Bars)
and Linguoplates :
• The indirect retainers are actually the terminal rests
at either end in the form of auxiliary occlusal rests or
canine rests.

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5. Modification Areas:
• The occlusal rest on a secondary abutment in
a Class II partial denture may serve as an
indirect retainer.

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6. Rugae Support:
• Coverage of the rugae area of the maxillary arch may
act as indirect retention because the rugae area is
firm and well situated to provide indirect retention
for a Class I RPD.
• tissue support IR is less effective than positive tooth
support .
• rugae coverage is undesirable
if it can be avoided.

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References:
• McCracken’s , Removable partial prosthodontics ( 11 th
edition) .
• Stewart’s CLINICAL REMOVABLE PARTIAL
PROSTHODONTICS.
• Removable partial denture design ( Arthur
J. Krol).
• British Dental Journal .

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