Types of maxillary major connectors

Dr.Mohammad Al SayedDr.Mohammad Al Sayed

8/3/20088/3/2008

4.Horseshoe or U-shaped connector

IndicationsIndications::

11..When several anterior teeth being replacedWhen several anterior teeth being replaced..

22..In tooth borne partial denture with anterior and In tooth borne partial denture with anterior and posterior teeth are being missing posterior teeth are being missing..

33..When a hard midline suture or palatal torus When a hard midline suture or palatal torus cannot be covered cannot be covered

DesignDesign::

11..It consists of U-shaped thin band of metal of 6-8mmIt consists of U-shaped thin band of metal of 6-8mm

in widthin width..

22..The borders must be either 6mm away from the The borders must be either 6mm away from the gingival margin or extend onto the lingual gingival margin or extend onto the lingual surfaces of the teeth surfaces of the teeth..

33..The connector should be uniform in thickness, The connector should be uniform in thickness, symmetric, and with curved and smooth borders symmetric, and with curved and smooth borders . .

Advantages :

11..It solves the problem of missing anterior teeth It solves the problem of missing anterior teeth especially when there is deep anterior vertical especially when there is deep anterior vertical overlap overlap..

22..It offers a definite advantage in the presence of It offers a definite advantage in the presence of hard median suture or large torus hard median suture or large torus . .

DisadvantageDisadvantage::

11..It tend to be less rigid than other connectors as a It tend to be less rigid than other connectors as a buccolingual movement may occur in the buccolingual movement may occur in the posterior area posterior area..

22..It covers the rugae area and interferes with It covers the rugae area and interferes with phonetics and patient’s comfort phonetics and patient’s comfort..

5.Anteroposrerior palatal strap(closed horseshoe)

Indications:

1.In tooth borne, and mucosa borne partial dentures when replacement of anterior and posterior teeth is required.

2.When a palatal torus exists.

Anteroposreior palatal strap

Anteroposterior palatal strap

Design:

11..The anterior strap should be positioned as back The anterior strap should be positioned as back as possible on the rugae area as possible on the rugae area . .

22..The posterior strap should be placed as far back The posterior strap should be placed as far back as possible on the hard palate as possible on the hard palate..

33..The borders of the connectors should be placed The borders of the connectors should be placed 6 mm away from the gingival margins or 6 mm away from the gingival margins or should extend above the height of contour of should extend above the height of contour of the teeththe teeth..

Advantages:

11..It is rigid because it lies at two different planesIt is rigid because it lies at two different planes..

22..It provide good support to the partial dentureIt provide good support to the partial denture..

DisadvantagesDisadvantages::

May be not accepted by some patients due to May be not accepted by some patients due to multiple borders and coverage to the rugae areamultiple borders and coverage to the rugae area

6.The complete palatal plate

Indications:11..In long span bilateral tooth-mucosa borne partial In long span bilateral tooth-mucosa borne partial

denture with and without anterior teeth denture with and without anterior teeth replacement replacement..

22..Should be used whenever maximum tissue support Should be used whenever maximum tissue support is desired is desired . .

33..In patients with palatal defectIn patients with palatal defect..44..Maximum palatal coverage should be considered Maximum palatal coverage should be considered

in the presence of poor residual ridge, in the presence of poor residual ridge, periodontal disease, increased muscular force periodontal disease, increased muscular force and poor bone indicesand poor bone indices..

55..In transitional partial dentureIn transitional partial denture..

Design:

11..The anterior border should be 6 mm away from The anterior border should be 6 mm away from the gingival margin the gingival margin..

22 . .Posterior borders are extended to the junction of Posterior borders are extended to the junction of movable and immovable soft palate movable and immovable soft palate..

33..The posterior border is beaded to prevent debris The posterior border is beaded to prevent debris from collecting beneath the palate from collecting beneath the palate . .

Advantages:

11..It offers maximum rigidity support and retention It offers maximum rigidity support and retention to the partial denture to the partial denture . .

22..It is made in a uniform thin metal plate, which It is made in a uniform thin metal plate, which reproduce anatomic contour of the palate and reproduce anatomic contour of the palate and

feel natural to the patient feel natural to the patient . .

Disadvantages:

1.Often cannot be used in the presence of a palatal torus .

2.Complete palatal coverage may alter taste and tactile sensation .

Types of palatal platesTypes of palatal plates::

11..Complete cast metal plate covering the entire Complete cast metal plate covering the entire palate. It may not be relined easily palate. It may not be relined easily..

22..Complete resin plate, which can be relined or Complete resin plate, which can be relined or rebased rebased..

33..Combination of anterior metal with posterior Combination of anterior metal with posterior resin area. The resin area may be relined or resin area. The resin area may be relined or

rebased rebased . .