Stress breaker

Defintion:
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)
Class I, Class II And Class IV
Are Subjected To Greater
Stresses Than Class III
because support for a
prosthesis must be derived
from both teeth and soft
tissue. Soft tissue being
compressible, permits
vertical and rotational
movements.
Types of stresses created on the abutment
teeth in general there are three types of
stresses on the abutment teeth

• Vertical
• Lateral
• Oblique/Anteroposterior
Aim of stress breaking
1. To direct occlusal force in the long axis of abutment teeth
2. To prevent harmful loads being applied to the remaining natural
teeth
3. To share load as early as possible between nature teeth and saddle
area
4. To provide comfort to patient
5. To ensure that the force applied to saddle is distributed well along
mucosal surface
• 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