Minor ConnectorsDr Kaushal Kishor AgrawalAssistant ProfessorDepartment of ProsthodonticsKGMU , Lucknow

Minor ConnectorsConnects components to the major connectorDirect retainerIndirect retainerDenture base

Functions of Minor ConnectorsUnification and rigidityStress distribution Bracing through contact with guiding planesMaintain a path of insertion

Types of Minor ConnectorsEmbrasure Minor ConnectorsBetween two adjacent teeth

Types of Minor ConnectorsEmbrasure Minor ConnectorsTriangular shaped in cross section Joins major connector at right angles Relief placed so connector not directly on soft tissue

Types of Minor ConnectorsEmbrasure Minor ConnectorsContact teeth above height of contour Prevents wedging & tooth mobilityAlternatively, difficult to seat

Gridwork Minor ConnectorsConnect the denture base and teeth to the major connector

Gridwork Minor ConnectorsAdjacent edentulous spaces Usually connect major connector to direct retainersOpen lattice work or mesh types

Gridwork Minor ConnectorsMesh type FlatterPotentially more rigidLess retention for acrylic if openings are small

Gridwork Minor ConnectorsLattice TypePotentially superior retentionInterferes with setting of teeth, if struts are too thick Both types are acceptable if correctly designed

Gridwork ReliefMechanical retention of denture base resinAllows the acrylic resin to flow under the gridwork

Gridwork ReliefRelief wax is placed in the edentulous areas 1 mm of relief

Relief Under the GridworkShould begin 1.5 - 2 mm from the abutment tooth

Relief Under the GridworkCreates a metal to tissue contact adjacent toothPreferable since it wears lessLess porous, (hygiene)

Junction With Major ConnectorButt joint with slight undercut in metalMaximum bulk of the acrylic resinPrevents thin, weak edges fracturing

Mandibular Gridwork Design

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 Gridwork DesignGridwork2/3 of the length of from abutment to the hamular notchMajor connector extends fully to the hamular notch

Gridwork DesignFacially just over the crest of the residual ridge

Position of Major Connector JunctionShould be 2 mm medial to lingual surface of denture teethEnsures bulk of resin around teeth

Mandibular Tissue StopsContact of metal with cast at posterior of distal extension gridworkPrevents distortion at free end during hydraulic pressure of processing

No Tissue Stops In MaxillaMaxillary major connector acts as a tissue stop (no relief)

Proximal PlatesMinor connectors originating from the gridwork in an edentulous areaBroad contact with guiding planesMay or may not terminate in an occlusal rest

Proximal Plates

Proximal PlatesShifted slightly lingually Increases rigidityEnhances reciprocationImproves estheticsOften a triangular space below the guiding plane (an undercut)

Proximal PlatesRigid, cannot be placed in undercutBlock-out placed in undercuts prior to waxing and casting the framework

Zero Degree Block-OutDoes not deviate from path of insertionInstructions to the laboratory should state Use zero degree blockout

Q1: Which is not function of Minnor Connector1. Unification and rigidity2. Stress distribution 3. Bracing through contact with guiding planes4. Retention of RPD

Q2: Minnor Connector should join major connector at an angle of1. 90 degree2. > 90 degree3. < 90 degree4. At any angle

Q3: Embrasure minor connector should be 1. Triangular2. Rectangular3. Square4. Linear

Q4: Which Gridwork minor connector connector commonly interfer with setting of teeth1. Mesh work2. Lattice Work3. Bead type4. Both Mesh and lattice work

Q5: Which part of Maxillary cast R PD framework act as tissue stop1. Major connector2. Minor connector3. Direct retainet4. Occlusal rest

Q6: Which is not true for Mandibular Grid work framework1. Extend 2/3 of the way from abutment tooth to retromolar pad 2. Never on the ascending portion of the ridge3. Always cover retromolar pad4. Need for tissue stops

Q8: Proximal plate is shifted Shifted slightly lingually to 1. Increases rigidity2. Enhances reciprocation3. Improves esthetics4. All of above

Q9: Gridwork minnor connector 1.Connect the denture base and teeth to the major connector2. Connect the denture base and teeth to the Occlusal rest3. Connect the major connnector to the direct retainer4.All of above

Q10. Function of tissue stop1. Prevents distortion at free end during hydraulic pressure of processing2. It compromises the shrinkage in resin3.It provide rigidity to denture framework4. All of above

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