Minor ConnectorsMinor ConnectorsMinor ConnectorsMinor Connectors

• Connects components to the major connector– Direct retainer

– Indirect retainer

– Denture base

• Connects components to the major connector– Direct retainer

– Indirect retainer

– Denture base

Functions of Minor ConnectorsFunctions of Minor ConnectorsFunctions of Minor ConnectorsFunctions of Minor Connectors

• Unification and rigidity

• Stress distribution

• Bracing through contact with guiding planes

• Maintain a path of insertion

• Unification and rigidity

• Stress distribution

• Bracing through contact with guiding planes

• Maintain a path of insertion

Types of Minor ConnectorsTypes of Minor ConnectorsTypes of Minor ConnectorsTypes of Minor Connectors

• Embrasure Minor Connectors– Between two adjacent teeth

• Embrasure Minor Connectors– Between two adjacent teeth

Types of Minor ConnectorsTypes of Minor ConnectorsTypes of Minor ConnectorsTypes of Minor Connectors

• Embrasure Minor Connectors– Triangular shaped in cross section

– Joins major connector at right angles

– Relief placed so connector not directly on soft tissue

• Embrasure Minor Connectors– Triangular shaped in cross section

– Joins major connector at right angles

– Relief placed so connector not directly on soft tissue

Types of Minor ConnectorsTypes of Minor ConnectorsTypes of Minor ConnectorsTypes of Minor Connectors

• Embrasure Minor Connectors– Contact teeth above height of

contour

– Prevents wedging & tooth mobility

– Alternatively, difficult to seat

• Embrasure Minor Connectors– Contact teeth above height of

contour

– Prevents wedging & tooth mobility

– Alternatively, difficult to seat

Gridwork Minor ConnectorsGridwork Minor ConnectorsGridwork Minor ConnectorsGridwork Minor Connectors

• Connect the denture base and teeth to the major connector

• Connect the denture base and teeth to the major connector

Gridwork Gridwork Minor ConnectorsMinor ConnectorsGridwork Gridwork Minor ConnectorsMinor Connectors

• Adjacent edentulous spaces

• Usually connect major connector to direct retainers

• Open lattice work or mesh types

• Adjacent edentulous spaces

• Usually connect major connector to direct retainers

• Open lattice work or mesh types

Gridwork Minor ConnectorsGridwork Minor ConnectorsGridwork Minor ConnectorsGridwork Minor Connectors

• Mesh type – Flatter– Potentially more rigid– Less retention for acrylic

if openings are small

• Mesh type – Flatter– Potentially more rigid– Less retention for acrylic

if openings are small

Gridwork Minor ConnectorsGridwork Minor ConnectorsGridwork Minor ConnectorsGridwork Minor Connectors

• Lattice Type• Potentially superior retention• Interferes with setting of teeth, if

struts are too thick – Both types are acceptable if correctly

designed

• Lattice Type• Potentially superior retention• Interferes with setting of teeth, if

struts are too thick – Both types are acceptable if correctly

designed

Gridwork ReliefGridwork ReliefGridwork ReliefGridwork Relief

• Mechanical retention of denture base resin

• Allows the acrylic resin to flow under the gridwork

• Mechanical retention of denture base resin

• Allows the acrylic resin to flow under the gridwork

Gridwork ReliefGridwork ReliefGridwork ReliefGridwork Relief

• Relief wax is placed in the edentulous areas

• 1 mm of relief

• Relief wax is placed in the edentulous areas

• 1 mm of relief

Relief Under the GridworkRelief Under the GridworkRelief Under the GridworkRelief Under the Gridwork

• Should begin 1.5 - 2 mm from the abutment tooth

• Should begin 1.5 - 2 mm from the abutment tooth

Relief Under the GridworkRelief Under the GridworkRelief Under the GridworkRelief Under the Gridwork

• Creates a metal to tissue contact adjacent tooth– Preferable since it wears less

– Less porous, (hygiene)

• Creates a metal to tissue contact adjacent tooth– Preferable since it wears less

– Less porous, (hygiene)

Junction With Major ConnectorJunction With Major ConnectorJunction With Major ConnectorJunction With Major Connector

• Butt joint with slight undercut in metal

• Maximum bulk of the acrylic resin

• Prevents thin, weak edges fracturing

• Butt joint with slight undercut in metal

• Maximum bulk of the acrylic resin

• Prevents thin, weak edges fracturing

a

major connectoredentulous ridgebutt jointslight undercut

a

incorrect (>90° joint)

MandibularMandibular Gridwork Design Gridwork DesignMandibularMandibular Gridwork Design Gridwork Design

• Extend 2/3 of the way from abutment tooth to retromolar pad

• Never on the ascending portion of the ridge

• Extend 2/3 of the way from abutment tooth to retromolar pad

• Never on the ascending portion of the ridge

Stewart's, Fig. 2-55

Maxillary Maxillary Gridwork DesignGridwork DesignMaxillary Maxillary Gridwork DesignGridwork Design

• Gridwork– 2/3 of the length of

from abutment to the hamular notch

• Major connector – extends fully to the

hamular notch

• Gridwork– 2/3 of the length of

from abutment to the hamular notch

• Major connector – extends fully to the

hamular notch

Gridwork DesignGridwork DesignGridwork DesignGridwork Design

Facially just over the crest of the residual ridge

Facially just over the crest of the residual ridge

Position of Major Connector JunctionPosition of Major Connector JunctionPosition of Major Connector JunctionPosition of Major Connector Junction

• Should be ≈ 2 mm medial to lingual surface of denture teeth

• Ensures bulk of resin around teeth

• Should be ≈ 2 mm medial to lingual surface of denture teeth

• Ensures bulk of resin around teeth

Mandibular Tissue StopsMandibular Tissue StopsMandibular Tissue StopsMandibular Tissue Stops

• Contact of metal with cast at posterior of distal extension gridwork

• Prevents distortion at free end during hydraulic pressure of processing

• Contact of metal with cast at posterior of distal extension gridwork

• Prevents distortion at free end during hydraulic pressure of processing

No Tissue Stops In MaxillaNo Tissue Stops In MaxillaNo Tissue Stops In MaxillaNo Tissue Stops In Maxilla

• Maxillary major connector acts as a tissue stop (no relief)

• Maxillary major connector acts as a tissue stop (no relief)

Proximal PlatesProximal PlatesProximal PlatesProximal Plates

• Minor connectors originating from the gridwork in an edentulous area

• Broad contact with guiding planes

• May or may not terminate in an occlusal rest

• Minor connectors originating from the gridwork in an edentulous area

• Broad contact with guiding planes

• May or may not terminate in an occlusal rest

Proximal PlatesProximal PlatesProximal PlatesProximal Plates

Proximal PlatesProximal PlatesProximal PlatesProximal Plates

• Shifted slightly lingually – Increases rigidity– Enhances reciprocation– Improves esthetics

• Often a triangular space below the guiding plane (an undercut)

• Shifted slightly lingually – Increases rigidity– Enhances reciprocation– Improves esthetics

• Often a triangular space below the guiding plane (an undercut)

Proximal PlatesProximal PlatesProximal PlatesProximal Plates

• Rigid, cannot be placed in undercut

• Block-out placed in undercuts prior to waxing and casting the framework

• Rigid, cannot be placed in undercut

• Block-out placed in undercuts prior to waxing and casting the framework

Zero Degree Block-OutZero Degree Block-OutZero Degree Block-OutZero Degree Block-Out

• Does not deviate from path of insertion

• Instructions to the laboratory should state “Use zero degree blockout”

• Does not deviate from path of insertion

• Instructions to the laboratory should state “Use zero degree blockout”