A major connector joins the components on one side of the arch with those on the opposite side. Therefore, all components are attached to the associated major connector either directly or indirectly.

1. Major connector
Dr. Ibadat Jamil
Assistant professor
Dep. Of Prothodontics

2. A major connector joins the components on
one side of the arch with those on the
opposite side. Therefore, all components are
attached to the associated major connector
either directly or indirectly.
Components of a typical removable partial
denture are
1. Major connectors
2. Minor connectors
3. Rests
4. Direct retainers
5. Stabilizing or reciprocal components
6. Indirect retainers

3. To function effectively and minimize
potentially damaging effects, all major
connectors must be :
1. Rigid
2. Provide vertical support and protect the soft
tissues
3. Provide a means for obtaining indirect
retention where indicated
4. Provide a means for placement of one or
more denture bases
5. Promote patient comfort

4.  Major connectors should be designed and
located with the following guidelines in mind:
1. Major connectors should be free of movable
tissue.
2. Impingement of gingival tissue should be
avoided.
3. Bony and soft tissue prominences should be
avoided during placement and removal.
4. Relief should be provided beneath a major
connector to prevent its settling into areas of
possible interference, such as inoperable tori or
elevated median palatal sutures.
5. Major connectors should be located and/or

5. Six basic types of maxillary major
connectors are considered:
1. Palatal bar
2. Palatal strap
3. Antero-posterior palatal bar
4. Horseshoe
5. Antero-posterior palatal strap
6. Complete palate

6. Palatal Bar
 The palatal bar is a narrow half oval with its thickest
point at the center. The bar is gently curved and should
not form a sharp angle at its junction with the denture
base .
Advantages :
Palatal bar major connectors are used primarily in
interim applications. The palatal bar has few
advantages and should be avoided.

7. Disadvantages :
To provide the necessary rigidity, a palatal bar major
connector must be bulky.
Moreover, because of its narrow antero-posterior width,
a palatal bar derives little vertical support from the bony
palate. As a result, a palatal bar major connector must
derive nearly all of its support from rests on the
remaining teeth.
 If used, the palatal bar should be limited to short span
Class III applications (e.g, replacing one or two teeth on
each side of the arch).
 In addition, the palatal bar should not be placed
anterior to the second premolar position, otherwise its
bulk may produce noticeable discomfort and alteration
of speech.

8. Palatal Strap
 The palatal strap consists of a wide band of
metal with a thin cross-sectional dimension .
Because of its minimal depth, this major
connector may be used to cross the palate in
an unobtrusive manner.

9.  Nevertheless, the antero-posterior dimension
of a palatal strap major connector should not
be less than 8 mm to avoid compromise of its
rigidity .
 The width of a palatal strap major
connector should be increased as the
edentulous space increases in length. This
increase in width not only ensures rigidity, but
also permits greater support from the hard
palate.

10.  While wide palatal strap may be used for
unilateral distal extension partial dentures
(i.e, Kennedy Class II), it should not be used
for bilateral distal extension applications (i.e,
Kennedy Class 1).
Advantages :
• Palatal strap is located in two or more
planes, it offers great resistance to bending
and twisting forces.
• Palatal strap is inherently strong, it can be
kept relatively thin.
• Well accepted by patients.
• The increased tissue coverage helps
distribute applied stresses over a larger area.

11. Disadvantages :
 In some instances, a patient may complain of
excessive palatal coverage. Frequently, this
complaint can be traced to improper positioning of
the strap borders. Therefore, the anterior border of
the major connector should be positioned posterior
to the palatal rugae if possible.
 The increased soft tissue coverage associated with
a wide palatal strap also may predispose the
patient to papillary hyperplasia.
 Therefore, it is essential that each removable
partial denture patient be provided with thorough
oral and written instructions regarding the wear,

12. Antero-posterior palatal bar
The antero-posterior palatal bar displays
characteristics of palatal bar and palatal strap
major connectors .
The anterior bar is relatively flat. Its cross-
sectional shape is similar to that of a palatal
strap.

13. Borders of the anterior bar are positioned on
the appropriate slopes of prominent rugae,
thereby allowing it to blend with the contours
of the anterior palate.
The posterior bar is a half oval, similar to the
palatal bar major connector.
The two bars are joined by flat longitudinal
elements on each side of the palate. The two
bars, lying in different planes, produce a
structurally strong L-beam effect.

14. Advantages :
 It is rigid.
 Minimizes soft tissue coverage, yet provides
exceptional resistance to deformation.
 May be used when support is not a major
consideration and when the anterior and
posterior abutments are widely separated.
 May be chosen for patients with large palatal
tori that cannot be removed for health
reasons.

15. Disadvantages :
 Uncomfortable.
 The bulk and contour of the connector may
be bothersome to the tongue and may
interfere with phonetics.
 Because of its limited contact with the palatal
tissues, it derives little support from the bony
palate.
 Contraindicated in patients with reduced
periodontal support.

16. Horseshoe connector
It consists of a thin band of metal running
along the lingual surfaces of the remaining
teeth and extending onto the palatal tissues
for 6 to 8 mm .

17. The medial borders of this connector should
be placed at the junction of the horizontal
and vertical slopes of the palate.
 Rigidity can be increased by extending the
borders slightly onto the horizontal surfaces
of the hard palate.
 The connector should display symmetry
and should extend to the same height on
both sides.
 All borders of the connector should be
gently curved and smooth.

18. Advantages :
 It is used primarily when several anterior
teeth are being replaced.
 It is a strong connector that can derive some
vertical support from tissues of the hard
palate.
 In the presence of a prominent median
suture line or an inoperable torus, this major
connector may offer distinct advantages.
 May be designed to avoid bony
prominences without sacrificing vertical

19. Disadvantages :
 When vertical force is applied to one or both
ends of a horseshoe major connector, there is a
tendency for the connector to flex or deform .
 It is a poor choice for distal extension partial
dentures.
 This is not a good connector when cross-arch
stabilization is required.
 The horseshoe connector displays limited
resistance to flexing, and noticeable movement
can occur at the open end.
 It should be considered only if more rigid
connectors cannot be used.

20. Antero-posterior palatal strap
It is a structurally rigid major connector that may
be used in most maxillary partial denture
applications .
 Indicated when numerous teeth are to be
replaced, or when a palatine torus is present.

21. Each strap should be at least 8 mm in width
and relatively thin in cross section .
 Palatal borders should exhibit smooth,
gentle curves.
 When anterior teeth are not being replaced,
the anterior strap should be in the farthest
posterior position possible.
The posterior strap also should be in a
posterior position, should not contact the
tissues of the movable soft palate.

22. Advantages :
 It is a rigid connector that derives good
support from the tissues of the hard palate
despite its open design.
 The corrugated contour of the metal over the
rugae adds strength to the connector and
allows the metal to be made relatively thin.
 The structural encirclement produced by the
anterior and posterior straps contributes to
the rigidity of the connector.

23. Disadvantages :
 Even though the metal over the rugae area
may be thinner than in some other major
connectors, interference with phonetics may
occur in some patients.
 The extensive length of borders may cause
irritation to the tongue.

24. Complete palate
 The complete palate provides the ultimate
rigidity and support . It also provides the
greatest amount of tissue coverage.

25.  The anterior border of a complete palate
must be kept 6 mm from the marginal
gingivae, or it must cover the cingula of the
anterior teeth.
 The posterior border should extend to the
junction of the hard and soft palates.
 A slight mechanical seal may be formed by
ensuring the presence of a bead line along
the posterior border of the major connector.
This gently rounded elevation prevents
debris from collecting beneath the Major
connector.

26. Advantages:
 When all posterior teeth are to be replaced.
 May be indicated when the remaining teeth are
periodontally compromised.
 When minimal ridge height is available, a complete
palate can provide additional stabilization for the
prosthesis.
 Complete palate is generally comfortable and exerts
little or no effect upon phonetics.
 The coverage of multiple palatal planes provides an
L-beam effect and makes the complete palate an
extremely rigid major connector.
 Enhances thermal conductivity.

27. Disadvantages:
 Because of the extensive tissue coverage, adverse soft
tissue reactions may occur in conjunction with complete
palate major connectors.
 These reactions generally are characterized by soft
tissue hyperplasia and accompanied by poor oral
hygiene and prolonged periods of denture wear.
 Occasionally, problems with phonetics may be
encountered.

28. Design of Maxillary Major Connectors
In 1953 Blatterfein described a systematic approach to
designing maxillary major connectors. His method
involves five basic steps:
Step 1: Outline of primary bearing areas. The primary
bearing areas are those that will be covered by
the denture base(s) .
Step 2: Outline of nonbearing areas. The nonbearing
areas are the lingual gingival tissue within 5 to 6 mm
of the remaining teeth, hard areas of the medial
palatal raphe (including tori), and palatal tissue
posterior to the vibrating line .
Step 3: Outline of connector areas. Steps 1 and 2, when

29.  Step 4: Selection of connector type. Selection of the
type of connector(s) is based on four factors: mouth
comfort, rigidity, location of denture bases, and
indirect retention. Connectors must have a
maximum of rigidity to distribute stress bilaterally.
The double-strap type of major connector provides
the maximum rigidity without bulk and total tissue
coverage. In many instances the choice of a strap
type of major connector is limited by the location of
the edentulous ridge areas. When edentulous areas
are located anteriorly, the use of only a posterior
strap is not recommended.When only posterior
edentulous areas are present, the use of only an
anterior strap is not recommended. The need for
indirect retention influences the outline of the major
connector.
Step 5: Unification. After selection of the type of major

30. A, Diagnostic cast of partially edentulous maxillary arch. B, The palatal extent of the
denture base areas are located 2 mm from the palatal surface of the posterior teeth.
C, Nonbearing areas outlined in black, which include lingual soft tissue within 5 to 6
mm of teeth, an unyielding median palatal raphe area, and soft palate. The space
bounded by bearing and nonbearing area outlines is available for placement of major
connector. D, Major connector selected will be rigid and noninterfering with tongue and
will cover a minimum of the palate.

31.  Five types of mandibular major connectors
are used in removable partial denture
therapy:
1. Lingual bar
2. Lingual plate
3. Sublingual bar
4. Cingulum bar
5. Labial bar

32. Lingual bar
 Most frequently used mandibular major connector
Because of its simplicity in design and construction,
 It is indicated for all tooth-supported removable
partial dentures unless there is insufficient space
between the marginal gingivae and the floor of the
mouth.
 It is usually made of reinforced, 6-gauge, half-pear-
shaped wax or a similar plastic pattern .

33. There are two clinically acceptable methods to determine
the relative height of the floor of the mouth to locate the
inferior border of a lingual mandibular major connector:
 The first method is to measure the height of the
floor of the mouth in relation to the lingual gingival
margins of adjacent teeth with a periodontal probe.
During these measurements, the tip of the patient's
tongue should be just lightly touching the vermilion
border of the upper lip.
Height of floor of mouth (tongue elevated) in relation to lingual gingival sulci
measured with a

34.  The second method is to use an
individualized impression tray having its
lingual borders 3 mm short of the elevated
floor of the mouth and then to use an
impression material that will permit the
impression to be accurately molded as the
patient licks the lips.
Impression made with functional movement of the tongue to demonstrate maximum
.

35. Advantages :
 A lingual bar has minimal contact with the
remaining teeth and soft tissues. As a result,
there is decreased plaque accumulation and
increased soft tissue stimulation.
 These factors may be critical in the long term
maintenance of teeth and soft tissues and
should not be overlooked by the practitioner.

36. Disadvantages:
 If extreme care is not taken in the design and
construction of a lingual bar, the resultant
framework may not be rigid.
 In either instance, the major connector can
become too thin and too flexible. This permits
the concentration of potentially destructive
forces upon individual teeth and segments of
the mandibular arch.
 Care must be taken to avoid making the bar
so bulky that it interferes with patient comfort
and function .

37. Lingual plate
 The structure of a lingual plate is basically
that of a half-pear-shaped lingual bar with a
thin, solid piece of metal extending from its
superior border.
 This thin projection of metal is carried onto
the lingual surfaces of the teeth and presents
a scalloped appearance.

38.  The inferior border of a lingual plate should be
positioned as low in the floor of the mouth as
possible, but should not interfere with the
functional movements of the tongue and soft
tissues.
 The inferior portion of the lingual plate may be
slightly less bulky than the corresponding portion
of a lingual bar, but no compromise in rigidity
should be made.
 The superior border of a lingual plate must be
contoured to intimately contact the lingual
surfaces of the teeth above the cingula.
 The border should extend toward the contact
area of the tooth and then turn apically, following

39.  The metal should cross the free gingival
margin at a right angle, assume a gently
curved path to the line angle of the adjacent
tooth, and follow the line angle toward the
contact area.
 To ensure rigidity of the major connector, the
inferior border of the lingual plate should be
made thicker.
 It is important to note that an anterior lingual
plate must always be supported by rests
located no farther posterior than the mesial
fossae of the first premolars. Failure to
provide rests may result in rotation of the

40. Advantages :
 A lingual plate must be used because there
is insufficient vertical space for a lingual bar.
This lack of space may be related to gingival
recession, high muscle attachments, or high
frenum attachments on the lingual aspect of
the mandibular arch.
 A lingual plate provides exceptional rigidity
yet does not interfere with the functional
movements of the tongue and the floor of the
mouth.
 A lingual plate also may be indicated when
the remaining teeth have lost much of their

41.  A lingual plate may be used to stabilize the
remaining teeth and to distribute applied
forces over the remaining teeth and soft
tissues.
 May be indicated for patients with conditions
that prevent the removal of existing
mandibular tori. Moderate relief must be
provided during framework fabrication to
prevent irritation of the fragile soft tissues that
cover such tori.
 One of the greatest advantages is its
exceptional rigidity. Patients often consider a
well-fitting lingual plate more comfortable

42. Disadvantages:
 The lingual plate's extensive coverage may
contribute to decalcification of enamel surfaces
and irritation of the soft tissues in patients with
poor oral hygiene.
 Consequently, a thorough examination is
essential to recognize those patients for whom a
lingual plate is contraindicated.
 Extreme care must be taken to ensure that a
lingual plate major connector does not create
additional oral hygiene challenges for a patient.
 The lingual plate must completely close the
interproximal spaces to the level of the contact
points. Sealing these spaces from the lingual

43. Sublingual Bar
 A modification of the lingual bar that has been
demonstrated to be useful when the height of the
floor of the mouth does not allow placement of the
superior border of the bar at least 4 mm below the
free gingival margin is the sublingual bar.
 The bar shape remains essentially the same as
that of a lingual bar, but placement is inferior and
posterior to the usual placement of a lingual bar,
lying over and parallel to the anterior floor of the
mouth.

44. Indications:
Can be used in lieu of a lingual plate if the lingual
frenum does
not interfere or in the presence of an anterior lingual
undercut
that would require considerable blockout for a
conventional
lingual bar.
Contraindications:
 Interfering lingual tori.
 High attachment of a lingual frenum.
 Interference with elevation of the floor of the mouth

45.  When a linguoplate is the major connector of
choice, but the axial alignment of the anterior
teeth is such that excessive blockout of
interproximal undercuts must be made, a
cingulum bar may be considered.
Cingulum Bar (Continuous Bar)

46.  A cingulum bar located on or slightly above
the cingula of the anterior teeth may be
added to the lingual bar or can be used
independently.
 Additionally, when wide diastemata exist
between the lower anterior teeth, a
continuous bar retainer may be more
esthetically acceptable than a linguoplate.

47. Labial bar
 A labial bar runs across the mucosa on the facial
surface of the mandibular arch.
 Like other mandibular major connectors, a labial
bar displays a half-pear shape when viewed in
cross section.
 Because of its placement on the external
curvature of the mandible, a labial bar is longer
than a corresponding lingual bar, double lingual
bar, or lingual plate.

48.  To ensure rigidity, the height and thickness of
a labial bar must be greater than those
described for a lingual bar.
 The only justification for using a labial bar is
the presence of a gross uncorrectable
interference that makes the placement of a
lingual major connector impossible.
 Interferences that commonly lead to the
selection of a labial bar are:
(1) Malpositioned or lingually inclined teeth
(2) Large mandibular tori that preclude the use
of a lingual bar or lingual plate.

49.  The Swing-Lock removable partial denture represents a
useful modification of the labial bar. In this application,
the labial component does not serve as a major
connector. Instead, the modified labial bar has a hinge
at one end and a locking device at the opposite end.
This permits an opening and closing action similar to a
gate. The framework may be positioned in the mouth
with the gate in the open position.
Absence of mandibular canine requires that all remaining anterior teeth be used for
stabilization and retention of replacement restoration. Swing-Lock concept can be
used to ensure group function of these remaining mandibular teeth.

50. Advantages:
 When the remaining mandibular teeth are
tipped so far lingually that a more
conventional major connector cannot be
used, a labial bar may be considered.
 Nevertheless, every possible means of
avoiding the use of a labial bar should be
entertained before it is incorporated into the
design of a partial denture.

51. Disadvantages:
 Patient acceptance of labial bar major
connectors generally is poor.
 The bulk of the major connector distorts the
lower lip unless the lip is relatively immobile.
 The presence of metal between the gingival
tissues and the lip causes significant
discomfort.
 The labial vestibule usually is not deep
enough to permit a sufficiently rigid connector
without encroaching on the free gingival

52. Design of Mandibular Major
Connectors
The following systematic approach to designing a
mandibular lingual bar and linguoplate major
connectors can be readily used with the diagnostic
casts after considering the diagnostic data and
relating them to the basic principles of major
connector design:
Step 1: Outline the basal seat areas on the
diagnostic cast .
Step 2: Outline the inferior border of the major
connector.
Step 3: Outline the superior border of the major
connector.

53. A, Diagnostic cast with basal seat areas outlined. B, Inferior border of major
connector is outlined.
C, Superior border of major connector is outlined. Limited space for lingual bar
requires use of linguoplate major connector. Linguoplate requires that rest seats be
used on canines and first premolar for positive support.D, Rest seat areas on posterior
teeth are outlined, and minor connectors for retention of resin denture bases are
sketched.

54. REFERENCES
 McCracken’s Removable partial prosthodontics . 11 th
edition. Elsevier, Mosby s prosthodontics. 11th
 Stewart’s clinical removable partial prosthodontics -
quintessence pub; 3 edition (january 2003).Pdf

55. THANKYOU