PRINCIPLES OF DESIGNING REMOVABLE PARTIAL

DENTURES

PRESENTED BY
MANINI MONICA
2ND YEAR
DEPT OF PROSTHODONTICS
CONTENTS

 Introduction
 Types of stresses
 Force acting on removable partial denture
 Biomechanical considerations
 Factors contributing to the amount of stress transmitted to the abutment
 Design consideration- controlling stress
 Miscellaneous design considerations
 Conclusion
 References
INTRODUCTION

 Removable partial dentures by design are meant to be removed and replaced in the
mouth.
 Hence they cannot be rigidly fixed to the oral tissues.
 As a result they move within the oral cavity under functional or non-functional forces.
These movements induce stresses.
 It is important for the dentist to know these movements and the stresses induced by
them so that the components of the partial denture may be logically planned and placed
so as to minimize these stresses and distribute them over a wide area.
The principles for removable partial denture design were first expounded by A.H. Schmidt in
1956

 The dentist must have a thorough knowledge of both the mechanical and biologic factors
involved in removable partial denture design

 The treatment plan must be based on a complete examination and diagnosis of the individual
patient

 The dentist must correlate the pertinent factors and determine a proper plan of treatment.

 A removable partial denture should restore form and function without injury to the remaining
oral structure.

 Removable partial denture is a form of treatment not a cure.

Planning and designing removable partial dentures-Colonel Arthur H. Schmidt - JPD-November 1953Volume 3, Issue 6, Pages 783–806
GOOD REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURE ARE THE RESULTS OF
1. Thorough general examination of the mouth with roentgenograms.

2. A thorough prophylaxis, and the treatment of, and removal of all questionable teeth.

3. The repair of all carious lesions.

4. Obtaining a preliminary impression and study casts and articulating them.

5. Drawing a tentative design on study casts, preparing occlusal rests and teeth by grinding.

6. Obtaining an accurate impression after all teeth are prepared

Colonel Arthur H. Schmidt, Planning and designing removable partial dentures-- JPD-November 1953Volume 3, Issue 6,
Pages 783–806
TYPES OF STRESS
Vertical stress Dislodging stress Horizontal stress Torsional stress

Displacing stress Lateral stresses – most Twisting rotational type

damaging

Least harmful from lack of Tend to lift the partial Originate as a component of Combination of vertical and
distal tooth support denture from its rest rhythmic chewing stroke . horizontal force
position These forces are effective in
mesio-distal and buccolingual
direction
TYPES OF MOVEMENTS -

Sagittal plane

Horizontal plane

Frontal plane
POSSIBLE TYPE OF MOVEMENTS TAKING PLACE.

 Greatest movement tooth tissue supported RPD.

 Most common movement taking place rotational movement.
 Rotational movement different planes in a dynamic complex way.
 This movement is based :-
1. Quality of tissue,
2. Amount of functional load applied and
3. Also on the quality of the denture base.
Usually there are three types of rotational movements taking place:
FORCE ACTING ON REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURE

 (a) 
rotation 
around a   (B) rotation around a 
fulcrum line  longitudinal  axis formed 
passing  by the crest of the 
through the  residual ridge;
most 
posterior 
abutments 
when the 
denture base 
moves 
vertically 
toward or 
away from  (C) rotation around a 
the  vertical axis located near 
supporting  the center of the arch.
MECHANICAL FORCE PRINCIPLES TO BE CONSIDERED WITHIN THE
ORAL CAVITY
Lever and inclined plane principle is involved in partial denture design.

INCLINE PLANE
In this system, two objects share an interface that forms an acute angle with the horizontal plane.
Application of vertical power (P) causes the objects to move in opposite directions

The rest will ‘slip off’ the inclined rest seat

However, flattening the rest seat will aid in the retention of the direct retainer on the tooth surface and resist
horizontal forces
LEVER

Consist of a fulcrum (F) about which the lever rotates, a power

source (P) that mobilizes the lever to do work, and a resistance
(R) to which the lever does work
FIRST CLASS

Example of 1st Order Lever Action In cantilever type of

Removable Partial Denture where there is Distal
Extension. If there is bone Resorption of the residual
alveolar ridge under the distal extension, it will result in
an effort leading to first order lever movement along the
fulcrum line.
SECOND CLASS
THIRD CLASS
Forces arising from three principal fulcrums -
Principal fulcrum line-
A horizontal fulcrum line
Rotational movement around this fulcrum line is the greatest in magnitude but, not necessarily the most damaging.
Resultant force on the abutment teeth - mesio- apical or disto-apical
A second fulcrum line –
Extends through the occlusal rest on the terminal abutment and along the crest of the residual
ridge on one side of the arch

This fulcrum line controls the rotational movements of the denture in the frontal plane.
The third fulcrum-
Located in the vicinity of the midline, just lingual to the anterior teeth
Oriented vertically and controls rotational movement in the horizontal plane
•Forces can be extremely damaging
• Significant attention during the design process
DIFFERENCE IN DESIGN BETWEEN TOOTH SUPPORTED AND
TISSUE SUPPORTED PROSTHESIS

TOOTH SUPPORTED TISSUE SUPPORTED

 Class III  Seen in Class I and class II class IV
 Derives support from teeth  Tissue provides maximum amount of support
 Movement potential is less because the teeth  Too much tissue movement because of dynamic
provide resistance to functional loading state of the tissue
 Single universal design can be followed for  Multiple complex design have to be followed
teeth supported prosthesis.  Denture base – acrylic resin
 Denture base - metal base
BIOMECHANICAL CONSIDERATIONS

BIOLOGICAL MECHANICAL
CONSIDERATIONS.
DESIGNING OF RPD IS BASED ON
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS

1. WHETHER TOOTH USED FOR SUPPORT CAN BEAR THE LOADS FALLING ON IT.
2. THE TYPE OF UNDERLYING MUCOSA

THE RESISTANCE TO LOAD FROM A TOOTH IS BASED ON

AMOUNT OF THE DIRECTION

FORCE FALLING DURATION OF FORCE
ON IT OF FORCE APPLIED
Points of Class I and Class II type Class III
difference
Manner of Derives major support from the residual ridge and Derives all its support from
support its fibrous tissue covering abutment teeth at each end of
edentulous space.
The movement of the base under function
determines the occlusal efficiency of the partial
dentures.

Method of Dual impression/ functional impression Anatomic impression

Impression
registration Material – mouth temperature waxes/ rubber base, Material–Agar, Alginate,
ZOE paste or silicone with individual corrected rubber base or silicone
tray.
Need for some kind Exists in the distal extension type of partial There is no denture base that would lift
of Indirect retention denture. away with sticky food & do not rotate
around fulcrums.

Base material Necessary to use a denture base material that Does not require relining unless advisable
can be relined, to compensate for tissue to eliminate an unhygienic, unesthetic or
changes. uncomfortable condition resulting from
Acrylic resin is preferred. loss of tissue contact metal bases preferred.

Differences in clasp Akers, Embrasure, Ring clasp

design Requirements for direct retention a
combination clasp could be used because it is a
combination of cast and wrought materials
incorporated into one direct retainer, RPI, RPA
STRESS EQUALIZATION

Resiliency of the tooth secured by the periodontal ligament in an apical direction is not comparable to the
greater resiliency and displaceability of the mucosa covering the edentulous ridge.
There fore , it is believed that a type of stress equalizer is needed to replace the rigid connection between
denture base and direct retainer.
Most common type is a hinge device which permits vertical movement of the denture base.
It can be adjusted to control the amount of vertical movement.
Advantages-
1. Minimal direct retention is required- as denture base acts more independently.
2. Has the massaging or stimulating effect on the underlying bone and soft tissue which minimizes tissue change and
resulting rebasing procedures.
3. Splinting of weak teeth is possible.

Disadvantages-
1. Construction of stress director is complex and costly.
2. Constant maintenance required.
3. Difficult or impossible to repair.
4. Lateral movements of base can lead to rapid resorption of the ridges.
 PHYSIOLOGIC BASING

This school of thought too believes that there is relative lack of movement in abutment teeth in an apical
direction.
But it believes that stress equalization can be best achieved by either – displacing or depressing the ridge
mucosa during the impression making procedure – or by relining the denture base after it has been constructed
• The tissue surface is recorded in functional form and not anatomic form.
• To permit vertical movement from rest position to functional position the retentive clasps have to have
minimum retention and also their number has to be less.
Advantages.
1. Intermittent base movement has a physiologically stimulating effect on the underlying bone and soft tissue.
2. Less need for relining and rebasing.
3. Simplicity of design and construction because of minimal retention requirements.
4. The looseness of the clasp on the abutment tooth reduces the functional forces transmitted to the tooth.

Disadvantages.
1. Denture is not well stabilized against lateral forces.
2. There will be always premature contact when mouth is closed .
3. It may be uncomfortable sensation to the patient.
4. It is difficult to produce effective indirect retention.
 BROAD STRESS DISTRIBUTION
Advocates of this school of thought believe that excessive trauma to the remaining teeth and residual ridge can be prevented by
distributing the forces of occlusion over as many teeth and as much of the available soft tissue area as possible.
• Achieved by means of additional rests, indirect retainers, clasps and broad coverage denture bases.

Advantages
1. Teeth can be splinted .
2. Prosthesis are easier and less expensive to construct.
3. No flexible or moving parts so less danger of distorting the denture.
4. Indirect retainers and other rigid components provides excellent horizontal stabilization.
5. Less relining required.
Disadvantages
6. Greater bulk may cause prosthesis to be less comfortable.
7. Increased amount of tooth coverage can lead to dental caries
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE AMOUNT OF STRESS
TRANSMITTED TO THE ABUTMENT

 Length of span.
 Quality of support of ridge.
 Clasp.
a. Qualities
b. Design.
c. Length
d. Material.
 Abutment tooth surface
 Occlusal harmony.
LENGTH OF EDENTULOUS SPAN

THE LONGER THE EDENTULOUS SPAN THE LONGER THE DENTURE BASE

GREATER THE LEVERAGE FORCE TRANSMITTED TO THE ABUTMENT TEETH.

LOAD ARTIFICIAL TEETH THE LENGTH OF EDENTULOUS RIDGE (DENTURE BASE)

DETERMINES THE FORCE ASSOCIATED WITH ABUTMENT.

TRY RETAINING POSTERIOR TEETH TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM.

B. The flat ridge 
will provide good 
support, poor stability.
QUALITY OF RIDGE SUPPORT
C. The 
Large well rounded ridges better stress distribution sharp spiny 
•Small thin, knife like ridges are very poor. ridge will 
provide poor 
support, poor 
Tall broad ridge longer denture flange withstand lateral to fair 
forces. stability. 

Thickness and health of the mucoperiosteum also

influence the loads transferred to abutment teeth.
2 mm thick healthy mucosa bear greater functional
loads. D, Displaceable tissue on 
the ridge will provide poor 
• Thin friable, flabby mucosa are very poor in withstanding support and poor stability
stresses
CLASP FLEXIBILITY:-
 A flexible clasp is more sought in case of tooth tissue supported dentures because it transmits less
load to the tooth structure.
 If periodontal condition of abutment is good—a less flexible clasp-vertical projection T- or
modified T clasp indicated
 If periodontal condition is questionable - wrought wire retentive clasp indicated

CLASP DESIGN:-
• It should be passive.
• It should be such that it doesn't apply force on the teeth while it is seated on the teeth.
• So complete seating of prosthesis is mandatory.
• Reciprocal arm should designed that it lies in the above the height of contour.
LENGTH OF THE CLASP • A longer clasp is more flexible. • And a curved path than a
straight path on the tooth surface will provide more flexibility

MATERIAL USED FOR CLASP CONSTRUCTION:- • Co Cr alloys based clasp apply

more force on the abutment teeth than gold based alloy. • So thinner diameter co cr
clasp can be used to reduce the amount of force applied

SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ALLOY:- • Gold crowns more resistance to

clasp than enamel. • Abutment restored with gold experiences more forces than
intact enamel

OCCLUSAL HARMONY:- • Deflective contacts should be avoided. • Prosthesis

opposing natural dentition face more forces than from a natural dentition. Occlusal
force should be directed to middle of residual alveolar ridge closer to the abutment.
DESIGN CONSIDERATION- CONTROLLING STRESS

DIRECT RETENTION:-

The retentive clasp arm destructive forces abutment

So retentive clasp arm should provide adequate retention with least forces.

• This can be done by providing retention from other components of denture.

• The support and stability of the prosthesis also may be improved.
Other components that provide additional retention are:-
• adhesion & cohesion • Frictional grip. • Neuromuscular control.
CLASP POSITION :-
OFTEN, THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF RETENTIVE CLASPS IS MORE IMPORTANT TO RETENTION THAN
THE NUMBER OF CLASPS.

1. QUADRILATERAL CONFIGURATION:-
• Class 3 with modification space.
• Clasp assembly on both abutment teeth adjacent to edentulous space.
• In case of absence of modification space clasp assembly anteriorly and posteriorly are
given on the dentulous opposite arch.

2. TRIPODAL CONFIGURATION :-
• Class 2 with modification space.
• Clasp present adjacent to the edentulous space.
• On the modification space side clasp on both the abutment teeth.
• If modification is absent clasp placed as far anteriorly and posteriorly on the teeth.
• Not as effective as quadrilateral configuration but better in class 2 cases.

3. BILATERAL CONFIGURATION:-
• Class 1 situations.
• Provides least stress reduction.
CLASP DESIGN:-
CIRCUMFERENTIAL CLASP:-

• Class II and class 1 cases clasp assembly involving disto-occlusal rest and retentive tip involving mesio-facial undercut is
prevented.

Terminal end of such clasp tipping forces on the abutment teeth.

• A clasp that originates from the mesio-occlusal rest and engages the disto-facial undercut or
a reverse circlet clasp should be used.

Vertical projection clasp:-

• It is used when the a distofacial undercut is seen on the abutment.

• It is not indicated in case of mesiofacial undercut.
COMBINATION CLASP:-

• Used when a distal extension is presented with a mesio-facial

undercut.

• Combination of both cast and wrought wire is used.

• Wrought wire is used as the retentive arm and cast metal is used
as the reciprocal arm.

• More flexible and produces less stress on the abutment.

SPLINTING OF ABUTMENT TEETH:-

• Tooth with decreased periodontal support can be splinted together

• It stabilizes the abutment in a mesio-distal direction.

• Splint extends anteriorly beyond the canine the stabilization effect is present even in
faciolingual direction.

• On of the most common consideration for fixed splinting is lone standing abutment
adjacent to distal extension edentulous space.

• Such a tooth can get damaged due to rotational forces.

Splinting is also indicated when the proposed abutment tooth has either a tapered
root or short roots to the extent that there is not an acceptable amount of periodontal
ligament attachment present
• The splinting consists of clasping more than one tooth on each side of the arch and using additional
rests for increased support.

• Not all clasps to be retentive.

• Prepared guiding planes may provide additional horizontal stability.

• Results in decreased mobility.

• Cross arch stabilization

INDIRECT RETENTION

• It prevents resist rotation and or displacement of a removable partial denture.

• It is located on the opposite side of the previous fulcrum line as far as possible

• Used in class 1 removable partial dentures.

• Not as useful in class 2 situation, it is used only if a modification space is present.

• Class 3 situation usually doesn’t need a indirect retainer as there is no lever effect.

• Class 4 situation it just opposite to the class 1 situation with indirect retainer present
as far posteriorly as possible
OCCLUSION:-

• The contacts of the remaining natural teeth should be the same whether the removable
partial denture is in mouth or not.

• The number of teeth replacing the natural teeth should be reduced to decrease the
amount of force falling on the ridge

• Reducing the buccolingual width and the number of replaced teeth reduces the stress
transmitted.

• Artificial posterior teeth should have sharp cusp with low incline plane in order to
increase the cutting efficiency and prevent horizontal interferences force.
DENTURE BASES :-
• The denture base should extend as much denture bearing area as possible in order
to dissipate the forces falling on the prosthesis.

• Denture flanges should be as long as possible.

• Maxillary denture base extend maxillary tuberosity.

• Mandibular denture base retromolar pad.

• Overextension of denture base should be avoided.

• Accurate adaptation of denture base is necessary for proper retention of denture base.

• The external polished surface of the denture should be contoured properly in order to aid in retention of the
dentures.
MAJOR CONNECTORS:-

• In maxilla a palatal full coverage major connector is more preferred as

it contacts all the remaining teeth with a lingual plate thus helps in
dissipating the forces.

• In mandible the lingual plate major connector is most preferred because

it covers the whole lingual surface of anterior teeth. • Thus distributing
the forces to all the teeth.

• It is particularly helpful in splinting periodontally

weakened teeth.
• It also provides rigidity and cross arch stabilization.
MINOR CONNECTOR

•The minor connector connecting the guide plane to the major connector plays a very important
role in dissipating functional stresses. Because of its close adaptation to the abutment teeth.

• This minor connector helps in two major functions.

1. It provides a single path of insertion.

2. Improved stability by providing increased resistance to horizontally directed forces

• Additional guide planes can be incorporated on other teeth to help dissipate the lateral stresses
falling on the single tooth.
REST AND REST SEATS:-

• Rest seats are essential as they transmit force vertically along the long axis of the teeth.

• Rest seats prevent formation of any lateral stresses.

• Rest seats should be designed in such a way that they are less than 90 degrees to the path of
insertion.

• Thus helping the rest seat to grab the tooth securely and prevent its migration.

• Occlusal rest seats should be rounded and some amount

of space should be present between the rest and rest seat
to allow free movement as a movement of ball and socket
joint.
MISCELLANEOUS DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

 Splint bar
 Internal clip attachment
 Overlay abutment
 Component partial denture
SPLINT BAR

 It is a smooth contoured bar resting lightly on

the gingival tissues to support the removable
partial denture.
RATIONALE FOR USE

 Mostly anterior teeth are replaced with fixed partial denture.

 In some situations when they have to be included in the partial denture design
are
 Lengthy span
 Severely Resorbed ridge.
 Accident, surgery
 Esthetic necessity

Use of splint bar provides the best possible support for anterior teeth in such framework
The splint bar can be cast or custom made
Long spans require more rigid bars(10 gauge) than short spans(13-gauge).
INTERNAL CLIP ATTACHMENT

 It provides both support and retention from

the connecting bar.
 The wire is located slightly above the tissues.

 Retention is provided be plate metal grip.

 Occlusal rests and clasps can be eliminated

on adjacent abutment teeth.
OVERLAY ABUTMENT

 The situation of distal extension should be prevented as far as possible.

 Likely situations for overlay
 Badly broken molar
 Endodontically or periodontally salvageable tooth.
 Supra-erupted opposing molar.
 Grossly tipped molar
 Tooth is endodontically treated and coronal portion is reduced to a small
dome shaped abutment.
COMPONENT PARTIAL DENTURE.

 A component partial is a removable partial

denture in which the framework is
designed and constructed in separate parts.

 This design helps in obtaining more

support.

 Tooth supported component individually

fabricated and fit to master cast.
 Tissue supported component is then
fabricated and made to fit the cast.

 All components assembled on the

cast.

 Components joined with high

impact resin.
DESIGN PRINCIPLE FOR A OBTURATOR PROSTHESIS
 Movement potential when compared to normal denture is more in obturator prosthesis.
 Support, stabilization and retention are placed adjacent to and far from defect possible.
 Teeth adjacent to resection margins are incisors they should be splinted.
 Cingulum rest for anterior teeth are given.
 Multiple occlusal rests are usually suggested to improve stability.
 Usually a embrasure clasp is given distally.
 Maximum coverage of palate should be done (full palatal coverage is usually preferred)
CONCLUSION

The principles of surveying, the significance of the survey line, the relation of the
clasp to the survey line, and the opportunity presented by tilting the cast to control
the location of undercuts are basic factors which will enable the prosthodontist to
solve any removable partial denture problem.
Thorough understanding and application of these basic principles will lead to a
successful treatment outcome.
REFERENCES

 Mc Crackens, Removal Partial Denture. 11th edition.

 Stewarts clinical removable prosthodontics. 3rd edition.
 Ernest l miller removable partial prosthodontics 2nd edition.
 Steffel VL. Fundamental principles involved in partial denture design. The journal of the American Dental
Association. 1951 may 1;42(5):534-44.
 Potter Rb, Appleby RC, Adams cd. Removable partial denture design: A review and a challenge. Journal of
Prosthetic Dentistry. 1967 jan 1;17(1):63-8.
 Mosharraf R, A systematic method for designing removable partial denture framework. Journal of Indian
prosthodontic society. 2008 dec 1;8(4).
 Colonel Arthur H. Schmidt, Planning and designing removable partial dentures-- JPD-November 1953Volume 3,
Issue 6, Pages 783–806
 Avant WE. Factors that influence retention of removable partial dentures. J Prosthet Dent 1971;25:265–269.