DIRECT RETAINERS

GUIDED BY PRESENTED BY
DR.C.RADHA B.PAVANI 1
 CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• CLASSIFICATION
• DEFINITIONS
• INTRACORONAL RETAINERS
• EXTRACOONAL RETAINERS
• BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ASSEMBLY
• COMPONENTS OF CLASP ASSEMBLY
• BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CLASP DESIGN
• CRITERIA FOR CLASP SELECTION
• TYPES OF CLASP ASSEMBLY
• OTHER TYPES OF CLASP ASSEMBLY
• OCCLUSALLY AND GINGIVALLY APPROACHING CLASPS: RELATIVE MERITS AND
DEMERITS
• REFERENCES
2
 INTRA ORAL FORCES DIRECTING
ON PROSTHESIS

Direction of forces

Towards the tissue Across the tissue Away from the tissue

3
 Towards the tissue Resulted from forces of occlusion of
Masticatory forces
Across the tissue

Hence of greatest intensity

Resisted by major connectors ,rests etc.,

Away from the tissue Dislodgement of denture

Resisted by direct retainers 4

5
 DIRECT RETAINERS

Helps to resist to movement of the denture away from the tissues

Provides retention to the denture

6
Primary retention of the denture Resistance to dislodging forces

Provided by direct retainers

Secondary retention of the denture Minor connectors,major

connectors

7
 CLASSIFICATION
DIRECT RETAINERS

EXTRACORONAL
INTRACORONAL

ATTACHMENTS
PRECISION SEMI PRECISION RETENTIVE
ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT CLASP
ASSEMBLIES

SUPRABULGE INFRABULGE

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 INTRA-CORONAL RETAINERS
These provide retention through components placed inside the
(within ) normal contour of the abutment tooth

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IINTRACORONAL DIRECT RETAINER COMPONENTS

MATRIX PATRIX

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 PRECISION ATTACHMENT SEMI PRECISION ATTACHMENT
The attachment that is Attachment that is fabricated by
fabricated from milled alloys direct casting of plastic, wax,
or refractory patterns

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IINTRACORONAL DIRECT RETAINER COMPONENTS

MATRIX PATRIX

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 SEMI PRECISION ATTACHMENT

Attachment that is fabricated by direct casting of plastic, wax,

or refractory patterns

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INDICATIONS LIMITATIONS
•To provide movable joint in 1. Large pulp size which is
Removable Bridgework, fixed usually related to the age of
removable bridges. patient.
• To stabilize unilateral saddles. 2. Length of the clinical
• Pier abutments. crown, not used in short or
•Titled molars. F.P.D's in abraded teeth.(6mm crown)
severely misaligned abutments. 3. Expensive
•Use in Over dentures (different 4. Distal extension denture
forms of retainer are bar, bases
telescopic, use of auxillary
attachments).
• Fixed removable implant
restorations. 14
 ADVANTAGES

1. Esthetically acceptable.
2. It is preferred in many of the situation because of its vertical
3. intermittent vertical massage.
4. It permits proper tooth form.
5. It provides for excellent retention

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CLASSIFICATION
Classification by Good Kind and Baker in 1976 :
1)Intra coronal
a. resilient
b. non resilient
2)Intracoronal retainers
Frictional resistance.
Tapered and parallel-walled boxed and tubes.
Adjustable metal plates.
Springs.
Studs.
Locks.
Magnetic resistance.
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MATERIAL OF CHOICE
•Pt, Iridoplatinum, Gold and Pt, Gold and Pd.
•Type III and IV type of gold is to be used for crown castings.
• Base metal alloys are also used now a days as low cost

• 2 alternate ways to construct crown and rest seat.

1. Rest seat may be cast against the full coverage restoration
2. Rest seat may be soldered into place

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PRECISION ATTACHMENT SELECTION

1. Kennedy’s class I and class II partially edentulous arches

•The most difficult type of treatment plan.

•Some practitioners advocate non rigid and resilient attachments and some
advocate resilient attachment in distal extension to minimize rotation and
torquing of the abutment tooth, when the components of an attachment are
rigidly connected.

18
Int J Prosthodont. 1990 Mar-Apr;3(2):169-74
•Another philosophy, known as the stable base precision attachment
RPD concept or floating denture base concept recommends
incorporation of rigid internal attachments and a cast metal base
made from mucostatic impression of the residual ridge.
•The male portion of the attachment is connected to the denture base
, allowing the complete seating within the abutment.

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2. Kennedy’s class III partially 3. Kennedy’s class IV partially
edentulous arch edentulous arch

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 ADVANTAGES

•Elimination of visible retentive components

•Elimination of visible vertical support( rest)
•Greater stimulation to underlying tissues because
of intermittent vertical massage

DISADVANTAGES

•Require preparation of abutment tooth and cast

•Complicated clinical and lab procedures
•cost 21
THE EXTRA CORONAL RETAINER COMES IN THREE PRINCIPAL FORMS:-
•The clasp retainer type
•Manufactured attachments
 Dalbo or spring – loaded device
Flexible rings or rings

22
EXTRA-CORONAL DIRECT RETAINERS

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EXTRA CORONAL ATTACHMENTS

Extracoronal attachments were first introduced by Henry R. Boos in the

early 1900s and were later modified by F. Ewing Roach

Extracoronal attachments are located outside the normal clinical contours of

abutment crown

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 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CLASP ASSEMBLY

Basic principle of clasp design offers a two-way benefit.

First, it ensures the stability of the tooth position because of the restraint
from encirclement, and
second, it ensures stability of the clasp assembly because of the controlled
position of the clasp in three dimensions.

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PRINCIPLE OF ENCIRCLEMENT

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All the clasp designs should engage the abutment tooth for more than 180 degrees
along the long axis of the tooth

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OTHER BASIC PRINCIPLES

Rest

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The clasp retainers on the abutment teeth that are adjacent to the distal extension bases
should be designed so that they do not transmit the direction of tipping or rotational
forces on the abutment teeth

Clasp assembly on
The last abutment

Designed to minimise the stress

on abutment teeth

Acts as a stress breaker for last

abutment
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 Retentive arms must be opposed bilaterally

(a)bilaterally buccal or
(b) bilaterally lingual.

The reciprocal component must be rigidly connected bilaterally

across the arch
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The path of escapement for the retentive arm must not be parallel to the path
of removal of denture

Must have a non-parallel path

of removal

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The amount of retentive force applied by clasp should be necessary enough
to resist dislodging forces

Retentive forces

Not too great Not too less

Harmful effect Inadequate

on the abutment retention
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ANALYSIS OF TOOTH CONTOUR:-

• HEIGHT OF CONTOUR???

• Point of maximum convexity or the term

Height of contour Dr Edward Kennedy in 1985.

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PROTHEROS CONE THEORY

35
Devan [1955] referred to the surface
occlusal to the height of contour as
suprabulge,
& the surface inclining cervically as
infrabulge.

36
M.M DEVAN introduced the terms Suprabulge and Infrabulge. These terms
explain the coronal form, clasp form and clasp placement. According to him :

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 As an extension of DeVan’s concepts, professionals have defined two basic
categories of retentive clasp assemblies:

1. Circumferential or suprabulge direct retainers

2. Vertical projection, bar-type, or infrabulge direct retainers

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 COMPONENTS OF CLASP ASSEMBLY

RETENTIVE ARM

RECIPROCAL ARM

REST

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 REST

•Provides VERTICAL SUPPORT to the

prosthesis
•Resist DISPLACEMENT of prosthesis towards
the tissues
•Transmit FUNCTIONAL FORCES parallel to
long axis of the abutment

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 SHOULDER

•Connects BODY to CLASP TERMINALS

•Lie ABOVE height of contour and provide some STABILIZATION against

horizontal displacement

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 RECIPROCAL ARM RETENTIVE ARM

A RETENTIVE ARM IS THE ONLY

A rigid clasp arm placed above the
PORTION OF A REMOVABLE PARTIAL
height of contour
DENTURE THAT CONTACTS THE
On the side of the tooth ,opposing
SURFACE OF AN ABUTMENT APICAL
retentive clasp arm.
TO THE HEIGHT OF CONTOUR AND
PROVIDES RETENTION

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 RETENTIVE
RETENTIVEARM
ARM
A RETENTIVE ARM IS THE ONLY PORTION OF A REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURE
THAT CONTACTS THE SURFACE OF AN ABUTMENT APICAL TO THE HEIGHT OF
CONTOUR AND PROVIDES RETENTION

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Basic Principles of clasp design

According to Stewart basic principles are:-

1. Retention.
2. Stability.
3. Support.
4. Reciprocation.
5. Encirclement.
6. Passivity

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Retention
“Retention is the inherent quality of the clasp assembly that resists forces
acting to dislodge components away from the tooth structure.”
The amount of retention designed into a removable partial denture
should always be the minimum necessary to resist reasonable
dislodging forces

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AMOUNT OF RETENTION

Factors that effect the retenion is divided into

Tooth factors
Size of angle of convergence
How far clasp is placed in angle of convergence

Prosthetic factors
Clasp length
Clasp diameter
Clasp cross sectional form
Material used for making clasp
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 ANGLE OF CO
NVERGENCE

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PROSTHESIS FACTORS:-

Length of clasp arm-

Longer the clasp arm the more flexible it will be.

Circumferential clasps more retentive than bar clasp for a given clasp length.
The clasp arm should taper from the point of origin to provide its flexibility

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DIAMETER OF THE CLASP:

The greater the diameter of a clasp arm the less flexible it will be.(only in
uniform taper)
If its taper is absolutely uniform ,the avg diameter will be at a point midway
between its origin & its terminal end.
But if taper is not uniform a point of flexure –therefore a point of weakness
will exist.

52
Cross-sectional form:
The only universally flexible form is the round form.
Clasp arm should only flex away from tooth so half round is used.

 Round shaped clasp arm used only in distal extension denture bases
so that it can flex in all directions during functional movement and
minimize stresses.

53
Material used for construction:

Gold alloy greater flexibility than chrome alloys ,

Disadvantage of cast gold alloys bulk of the prosthesis costly.

Chrome alloys have a higher modulus of elasticity & therefore less flexibility.

So in less undercut areas CoCr alloy can be used but in cases of deep
undercut wrought metal can be used.

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RELATIVE UNIFORMITY OF RETENTION:
1.Retention on all principal abutments should be as
equal as possible.
2. Retentive clasp arms should be located so that
they lie in the same approx.. Degree of undercut
on each abutment tooth.
3. Retentive clasp positioning should also be same
on the contralateral side of arch.(atleast for one
teeth)

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Support
“Support is the quality of a clasp assembly that resists displacement of a
prosthesis in an apical direction.”

Provided by occlusal rest.

1. A properly prepared rest seat and corresponding rest serve to resist
displacement of the prosthesis toward the supporting teeth and soft tissues,
thereby ensuring that the clasp assembly maintains its intended relation to
the abutment, and
2. Transmit functional forces parallel to the long axes of the abutments
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Stabilization.

“Stability is the quality of a clasp assembly that resists displacement of a

prosthesis in a horizontal direction.”
It helps the denture be steady constant firm and resist displacement due to
function stresses and also prevent change in position of the denture.

It is provided by :- 1. Reciprocal element.

2. The shoulder(s) of a cast circumferential retentive clasp.
3. Vertically oriented minor connectors.

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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.”
As the retentive arm passes over the height of contour it flexes creating
lateral forces damage to the tooth.

 The reciprocal element may be a

1. Retentive arm of clasp
2. Lingual plating,
3. Combination of mesial and distal minor connectors.

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Points to be remembered while providing reciprocation

1. To optimize reciprocation, the axial surface of an abutment should be

prepared parallel to the path of insertion and removal.
2. It should be placed above the height of contour.
3. To provide true reciprocation, the reciprocal clasp arm must be in contact
during the entire period of retentive clasp deformation

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Encirclement.

“Encirclementis the characteristic of a clasp assembly that prevents

movement of an abutment away from the associated clasp assembly”.
Clasp assembly 180 degrees contact.

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Passivity.

“Passivityis the quality of a clasp assembly that prevents the transmission

of adverse forces to the associated abutment when the prosthesis is
completely seated.”
 When fully seated it should be passive.
 Should be activated only when dislodging forces are applied

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CRITERIA FOR CLASP SELECTION
 Survey line
 Requirements of retention and stability depending on the number,
configuration of edentulous areas.
 Nature of support
Root size and form
Esthetics
Presence of excessive tissue undercut
Oral hygiene and patient awareness

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CLASP DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE
FUNTIONAL MOVEMENT
RPI,RPA,BAR CLASP

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65
THREE DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO RPI CLASP
 These approaches are based on the location of proximal plate ,location of
the I bar

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67
This design had certain basic disadvantages:
 Physiologic relief was required to prevent impingement of gingival tissues
during function.

Since the proximal plate covers a greater surface area of the tooth, the
functional forces are directed in the horizontal direction, thus the tooth is
located more than the edentulous ridge.

68
Krol in 1973 made certain modifications in the design under the “MINIMAL
COVERAGE CRITERIA”
Rest preparations are less extensive in the RPI system.
Rests extend only into the triangular fossa, even in molar preparations, and
canine rest
2-3mm guide plane in which only 1mm contact was seen from the guide plate.

Arthur Krol JPD 1973;23;408-415

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70
Infrabulge clasp/bar clasp/roach clasp.
 Popularized by Ewing Roach in 1930 called it the Bar Clasp.
 An infrabulge clasp approaches the undercut region of an abutment from
an apical direction.
Push type retention.
Flexibility of clasp from length and taper.
 More aesthetic than c clasp.

Ex :- y clasp, t clasp, I clasp.

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Design rules…
1. The approach arm of an infrabulge clasp must not impinge on the soft
tissues adjacent to the abutment.
2. The approach arm should cross perpendicular to the free gingival margin. It
shouldn’t impinge the underlying gingiva.
3. Shouldn’t be used in area of tissue undercut.
4. Uniform length and adequate taper should be given for sufficient flexibility.
5. The clasp terminus tip should be placed as apical as possible on the
abutment teeth.

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T clasp

Name is from the shape of the retentive terminal.

Used in class 1 and class 2 situation.
 distofacial undercut is seen.
The retentive terminal consist of horizontal two projection the one on the
distal side engages the undercut and the one on the mesial side is above the
height of contour.

T clasp is contraindicated when the height of contour is at the occlusal one

thirds.

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Design rules…
1. The approach arm of an infrabulge clasp must not impinge on the soft
tissues adjacent to the abutment.
2. The approach arm should cross perpendicular to the free gingival margin. It
shouldn’t impinge the underlying gingiva.
3. Shouldn’t be used in area of tissue undercut.
4. Uniform length and adequate taper should be given for sufficient flexibility.
5. The clasp terminus tip should be placed as apical as possible on the
abutment teeth.

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In modified t clasp the non retentive arm is absent.
Y clasp is similar to t clasp with the approach arm ending cervical to the
retentive arm.
I clasp lack the horizontal retentive arms but only a horizontal retentive tip.
Only the retentive tip contacts the abutment surface only at the undercut
region.
The amount of contact is about 2 to 3mm in height and 1.5 mm in width.

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77
78
 COMBINATION CLASP

Consist of wrought –wire retentive clasp arm and a cast reciprocal clasp arm

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 INDICATIONS :-
•When maximum flexibility is desirable, such as on abutment tooth
adjacent to a distal extension base or on a weak abutment
• Adjustability when precise retentive requirements are unpredictable
and later adjustment to increase or decrease retention may be
necessary
•Esthetic advantage over cast clasps

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ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
•Flexibility •Extra steps in fabrication,
•Adjustability particularly when high-fusing
•Esthetics chromium alloys are used
•Minimum of tooth surface covered • Distorted by careless handling on
because of its line contact with the the part of the patient
tooth • Less accurately adapted to the
•Less likely occurrence of fatigue tooth and therefore provide less
failures in service with the tapered stabilization in the suprabulge
wrought-wire retentive arm versus the portion
cast, half- round retentive arm • It may distort with function and not
engage the tooth

81
EXTRA CORONAL RETAINERS ASSEMBLIES THAT MAY BE USED ON
ABUTMENT ADJACENT TO DISTAL EXTENSION BASE

Arrows indicate the general direction of movement of retentive tips of retainer arms
when the denture base rotates toward and away from the edentulous ridge.
A, Distobuccal undercut engaged by one-half T-type bar clasp. The portion of the clasp
arm on and above the height of contour might afford
some stabilization against horizontal rotation of the denture base.
B, I-bar placed in undercut at the middle (anteroposteriorly) of the buccal surface. This
retainer contacts the tooth only at its tip.
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• . C, interproximal ring clasp engaging the distobuccal undercut. Bar-type retainer
cannot be used Because of tissue undercuts inferior to the buccal surface of the
Abutment.
• D, round, uniformly tapered 18-gauge wrought-wire Circumferential retainer arm
engaging the mesiobuccal undercut.

83
E, A hairpin clasp may be Used when the undercut lies cervical to the origin of the retainer
Arm. Both hairpin and interproximal ring clasps may be used to Engage the distobuccal
undercut on the terminal abutment of the Distal extension denture. Hairpin and interproxima
ring clasps are The least desirable of the clasping situations illustrated here.
F, lingual view shows the use of double occlusal rests, connected To the lingual bar by the
minor connector in illustrated designs. This design eliminates the need for a lingual clasp arm
places. For support, and provides stabilization against horizontal rotation of the denture base
84
RPA clasps
The rest-proximal plate-Aker’s clasp was developed and described by Eliason
in 1983.
It consists of a mesial occlusal rest, proximal plate and a circumferential
clasp arm, which arises from the superior portion of the proximal plate and
extends around the tooth to engage the mesial undercut.

85
CLASP DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE FUNTIONAL
MOVEMENT
CIRCUMFERENTIAL,RING,EMBRASURE,OTHERS.,

86
CAST CIRCUMFERENTIAL Design rules..
CLASP 1. The clasp should arise from the main body of
 First proposed by Dr N B
the clasp assembly above the height of
contour. The retentive arm should extend
Nebbit.
cervically and circumferentially in a gently
 Later modified by Dr Polk E
arcing manner.
Aker.
2. All the components of the C clasp should be
• Simple and easy to
present above the height of contour except the
construct .
retentive tip.
3. The retentive terminus should always be
directed towards the occlusal surface never
towards the gingiva.
4. It should always terminate at the mesial or
distal line angle never at midfacial or
midlingual surface. 87
Design rules..

1. The clasp should arise from the main body of the clasp assembly above
the height of contour. The retentive arm should extend cervically and
circumferentially in a gently arcing manner.
2. All the components of the C clasp should be present above the height
of contour except the retentive tip.
3. The retentive terminus should always be directed towards the occlusal
surface never towards the gingiva.
4. It should always terminate at the mesial or distal line angle never at
midfacial or midlingual surface.

88
5. The retentive arm should be Some improper applications of
positioned as far apically on the circumferential clasp design and their
recommended corrections
abutment as is practical.(not impinging
the gingiva)
6. Special considerations in case of distal
extension case:-

A cast circumferential clasp should not

be used to engage
(a) the mesiofacial surface of an
abutment adjacent to a posterior
edentulous space or
 the distofacial surface of an
abutment adjacent to an extensive
anterior edentulous space.
89
Some improper applications of
circumferential clasp design and their A, Tooth with undesirable height of contour in its
recommended corrections occlusal third.
B, Unsuitable contour and location of retentive clasp
arm on an unmodified abutment.
C, More favorable height of contour achieved by
modification of the abutment.
D, Retentive clasp arm properly designed and
located on a modified abutment.
E, Unsuitable contour and location of the retentive
arm in relation to the height of contour (straight
arm configuration provides poor approach to the
retentive area and is less resistant to dislodging
force).
F, Terminal portion of the retentive clasp arm
located too close to the gingival margin.
G, Clasp arm that is properly designed and located.
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Advantages:- Disadvantages:-

1.Fulfils the design requirements 1. If used in distal extension base due

of support, stability, reciprocation, to fulcrum rotation of the clasp it
encirclement, and passivity. can cause damage to teeth.
2. Its uncomplicated design 2. Can increase the circumference of
features teeth and lead to food
make it easy to construct and accumulation and decalcification
relatively simple to repair.

91
Reverse circlet clasp
Used when undercut is located at the facial distoangle
adjacent to an edentulous space.

 DESIGN
 It consists of a mesial occlusal rest, a horizontal
reciprocal arm, and a retentive arm engaging the
distobuccal undercut adjacent to the edentulous area.

 ADVANTAGES:- Decreases the harmful stresses to

teeth.

 DISADVANTAGES:-
Week clasp if sufficient preparation is not done.
Poor aesthetics' if used in premolars and cuspids. 92
Multiple circlet clasp: Embrasure clasp
A multiple circlet clasp design involves two
simple circlet clasps Also known as the Bonwill clasp.
 Used in periodontally weekend teeth to
 fabrication of unmodified Class
splint them
II or Class III partial denture
 Disadvantages are same as circlet clasp.
situation;
when there are no edentulous
spaces available on the opposite
side of the arch to aid in clasping

93
Reverse circlet clasp
Used when undercut is located at the facial distoangle
adjacent to an edentulous space.

 DESIGN
 It consists of a mesial occlusal rest, a horizontal
reciprocal arm, and a retentive arm engaging the
distobuccal undercut adjacent to the edentulous area.

 ADVANTAGES:- Decreases the harmful stresses to

teeth.

 DISADVANTAGES:-
Week clasp if sufficient preparation is not done.
Poor aesthetics' if used in premolars and cuspids. 94
Embrasure clasp

Also known as the Bonwill clasp.

 fabrication of unmodified Class II or Class III partial denture situation;
when there are no edentulous spaces available on the opposite side of
the arch to aid in clasping

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Ring clasp
ADVANTAGES:-
Circumferential clasp encircles nearly all Provides adequate encirclement.
of the tooth from its point of origin. excellent retention with adequate
•It is usually used when a proximal flexibility due to increased length of
undercut cannot be approached by any clasp arm
other means.
•In case of tilted molars DISADVANTAGES:-
•A support strut is provided on the non Decalcification of teeth
retentive arm Increased occlusal table.
Poor structure of clasp

96
 ADVANTAGES:-
Provides adequate encirclement.
excellent retention with adequate
flexibility due to increased length of clasp
arm

DISADVANTAGES:-
Decalcification of teeth
Increased occlusal table.
Poor structure of clasp

97
Hairpin clasp or reverse action or fish
hook clasp
•A simple circlet clasp in which the retentive
arm loops back to engage an undercut apical to
the point of origin.
• Used when a distofacial undercut is present
adjacent to the edentulous space.

•Retentive arm has two horizontal components.

1. The occlusal portion minor
connector and must be rigid.
2. The apical portion pass over the
height of contour to engage the desired
undercut. 98
Consideration:-
•Sufficient clinical crown height.
• Space between occlusal and apical arm.
• Occlusal arm shouldn’t interfere within the occlusion

This clasp is indicated when the

1. soft tissue contour precludes use of a bar-type clasp and
2. when the reverse circlet cannot be considered because of a lack of occlusal
clearance

99
Onlay clasp:-
•Indicated when the occlusal surface of
the abutment lies noticeably apical to
the occlusal plane.
•occlusal surfaces of the abutments are
covered with crowns

clasp arms arises

•It establishes the occlusal plane.

•Indicated in caries free individual.
•Occlusal surface should be restored with
gold acrylic inserts.

100
101
OTHER TYPES OF CLASP PHILOSOPHIES.
DeVan’s Clasp
VRHR clasp or Grasso clasp
Euipose clasp
others

102
VRHR Clasp

The vertical reciprocal horizontal retentive arm

concept was developed by Grasso in 1980 and
is characterized by:
A distal occlusal rest supported by a minor connector.
 A lingual vertical reciprocal component originating from the
major connector.
 A horizontal retentive arm attached to either the major
connector or the retention latticework for the denture base.

Joseph Grasso JPD 1980,43;618-21

103
SADDLE LOCK
HIDDEN CLASP

104
105
Metal free-
1. Natural-flex
2. Optiflex
3. Proflex clear wire
4. Valplast
5. Cu-sil

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108
109
OCCLUSALLY AND GINGIVALLY APPROACHING
CLASPS: RELATIVE MERITS AND DEMERITS

110
 RETENTION

Bar clasp Circumferential clasp

The bar clasp approaches the • Above the height of contour
undercut from below the height of • Pulls towards the occlusal surface
contour pushes towards the from the undercut to resist
occlusal surface abutment tooth dislodgement.
• Easier to seat and more difficult
to remove

111
 STRESS-BREAKING EFFECT

Bar clasp Circumferential clasp

It allows a certain degree of Potential to torque abutment teeth in
functional movement of the distal extension based partial denture
distal extension base situations

dissipate the stresses and

lessen the load on the
abutment

112
 CONTACT WITH TOOTH STRUCTURE

Bar clasp Circumferential clasp

Minimal tooth contact and less More tooth contact leading to food
damage to tooth. accumulation structure

BRACING

Bar clasp Circumferential clasp

It is more flexible because of • Because of its rigidity it provides very
which it provides less bracing or good stability or bracing
stability against lateral stresses.

113
 DAMAGE TO ORAL TISSUES MINIMUM

Bar clasp Circumferential clasp

Relief can lead to tissue Damage to gingiva can take place
damage to mucosa under the during improper removal of clasp
approach arm.

114
 Esthetics

Bar clasp Circumferential clasp

Very less metal display so high Increased metal display so poor
aesthetics . Esthetics

115
 CONCLUSION
Direct retainers should be chosen based on their ability to distribute
forces evenly, minimize stress on the abutment teeth and
surrounding tissues, and provide sufficient retention to prevent
dislodgement of the prosthesis during function. By adhering to these
principles and customizing the design to suit the individual needs of
the patient, clinicians can ensure the long-term success and patient
satisfaction with removable partial dentures.

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REFERENCES

117
118
•Davenport J.C., Baskar R.M., Heath J.R., Ralph J.P. “A color atlas of
RPD”, Wolfe Medical Publications Ltd., 1988.

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