This document outlines the planning sequence for designing removable partial dentures (RPDs). It begins with a diagnostic assessment and preliminary impressions to obtain diagnostic casts. The casts are then mounted in centric relation. The ideal RPD design is then drawn on paper, considering factors like abutment teeth, the dental arch, and occlusion. The design is surveyed on the study casts to determine the most advantageous path of insertion and withdrawal. The design is then revised and finalized. Key steps in the design process are discussed, including the use of rests, connectors, and different types of retainers for mandibular and maxillary designs. Issues to consider for each component are also outlined.

1. Designing RPD’s
Planning sequence for RPD patients
Ting Ling Chang DDS
Division of Advanced Prosthodontics, Biomaterials and
Hospital Dentistry
UCLA School of Dentistry
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2. Designing RPD’s
Planning sequence for RPD patients
v Diagnostic assessment and preliminary impressions
v Diagnostic casts mounted in centric relation
v Draw the ideal RPD design (on paper)
v Survey the study casts and determine the most
advantageous position (MAP) of the designed RPD
path of insertion and withdrawal
v Revise and finalize the RPD design

3. Designing RPD’s
Planning sequence for RPD patients
v Diagnostic casts mounted in centric relation

4. Designing RPD Frameworks
Draw the ideal RPD design (on paper)
v There are no classic designs.
v Any design is a product of
diagnosis, treatment planning
v Abutment, arch and occlusal
criteria
v The application of design
principles and philosophy
v A knowledge and appreciation
of RPD biomechanics

5. RPD Design Sequence
v Rests
v Major Connectors
v Minor Connectors
v Denture Base Connectors
v Retainers

6. Mandibular Design
Issues of concern
v Proximal Plates – include 2.0 mm of mucosal coverage. Reduce
if visible and non-esthetic.
v Minor Connectors to Rests - The vertical components to the
rests should be at least 5.0 mm apart to reduce food
entrapment. Consider lingual plate if closer.
v Denture Base Connectors –
v Retention of the resin saddle.
v Must be short of movable tissues.
v Should have relief.
v Allow spot metal seating check on master cast. Connectors are placed
toward the lingual to prevent impingement

7. Mandibular RPD Design
Issues of concern
v The major connectors may not impinge upon movable soft tissues
such as frenum, or vestibular areas.
v Superior horizontal components must be clear of marginal gingival
tissue edge by 3.0 mm or consider lingual plate.
v The lingual borders of the plate or bar may need to be
physiologically molded for the final impression/master cast.
v Finishing lines between the metal and resin must be marked.
v Relief is commonly utilized under the major connectors.

8. Maxillary RPD Design
Issues of concern
v Relief is not commonly used under maxillary major connectors.
v Design components should not impinge on soft tissues (soft
palate, vibrating line areas).
v Beadings or pressure seals are used on major connectors
v Proximal plates – guide planes designed to include 2.0 mm of
mucosal tissue coverage. Reduce if esthetic areas involved.
v Denture base connectors – short of movable tissues. Should
have relief (22 gauge). Allow for spot metal seating contact for
fit verification.

9. Mandibular RPD Design
Options
v Occlusal rests
v Mesial or Distal
v Trans-occlusal
v Cingulum rest
v Incisal rest (direct support or
indirect retainer)
v Major connectors
v Lingual bar
v Lingual plate
v Retainers
v “I” bar
v Cast circumferential clasps
v Wrought wire clasps

10. Maxillary Design
Options
Occlusal Rests
v Mesial or Distal
v Trans-occlusal
v Cingulum
v Circular concave
Major Connectors
v Full Palatal Coverage
v Anterior-posterior (A-P) Strap
v Anterior Palatal Strap
v Tran-palatal or Posterior Palatal
Strap
v Other

11. RPD Design Sequence
v Rests
v Major Connectors
v Minor Connectors
v Denture Base Connectors
v Retainers

12. RPD Design Sequence
v Rests
v Major Connectors
v Minor Connectors
v Denture Base Connectors
v Retainers
Issues of Importance
Rests
v Center of the tooth for molars-tooth-
borne
v Open for cingulum
v Easy to check proper seating
v Easy to clean
v Short of transverse ridge for
premolars
v Incisal rest should extend onto the
labial surface
v Ball and socket type to allow pure rotation

13. RPD Design Sequence
v Rests
v Major Connectors
v Minor Connectors
v Denture Base Connectors
v Retainers
Options
Major connectors-Mandible
v Lingual bar
v Lingual plate
Major Connectors-Maxilla
v Full Palatal Coverage
v Anterior-posterior (A-P) Strap
v Anterior Palatal Strap
v Tran-palatal or Posterior Palatal Strap

14. RPD Design Sequence
v Rests
v Major Connectors
v Minor Connectors
v Denture Base Connectors
v Retainers
Issues of Importance
Major Connectors-Maxilla
v Must be rigid
v Beadings or pressure seals are used
on major connectors
v Must be short of the vibrating line
v Must extend to the lingual side of the
hamular notch

15. RPD Design Sequence
v Rests
v Major Connectors
v Minor Connectors
v Denture Base Connectors
v Retainers
Issues of Importance
Major connectors-Mandible
v The major connector must not impinge upon
movable soft tissues such as frenum, or vestibular
areas.
v Must be of sufficient bulk to ensure rigidity
v Relief is commonly utilized under the major
connectors.
v On the tooth borne side of the mandible the major
connector forms the inferior border of the
prosthesis

16. RPD Design Sequence
v Rests
v Major Connectors
v Minor Connectors
v Denture Base Connectors
v Retainers
Issues of Importance
v Proximal plate must extend 2 mm onto the
tissues
v Minor connectors must cross the ginigival
margins at a 90 degree angle
v Space between the vertical portions of minor
connectors should be 4-5 mm.
v Space between the horizontal portions ofmajor
connectors and ginvival margin should b 3-4
mm

17. RPD Design Sequence
v Rests
v Major Connectors
v Minor Connectors
v Denture Base Connectors
v Retainers
Issues of Importance
v Should not impair the placement of denture teeth
v In the maxilla should not cover the tuberosity
v Should be positioned on the crest of the ridge and on the
lingual side
v Should enhance the rigidity of the RPD framework

18. RPD Design Sequence
v Rests
v Major Connectors
v Minor Connectors
v Denture Base Connectors
v Retainers
Issues of Importance
v The horizontal extension of the “I” bar retainer should
be at least 2-3 mm from the gingival margin
v The vertical portion of the “I” bar retainer must cross
the gingival margin at a 90 degree angle
v The “I” bar retainer must engage the abutment tooth at
the greatest point of mesial distal curvature

19. RPD Design Sequence
v Completed preliminary design

20. Designing RPD Frameworks
Draw the ideal RPD design (on paper)
v There are no classic designs. Any design is a product of diagnosis, treatment
planning, abutment, arch and occlusal criteria, with the application of design
principles and philosophy and an appreciation of RPD biomechanics.
Design sequence
v Rests
v Major connector
v Minor connectors
v Denture base retainers
v Retainers

21. The Basic Requirements of a Direct Retainer
A properly designed direct retainer (clasp) assembly
should provide:
v Support
v Stabilization
v Reciprocation
v Encirclement
v Passivity
v Retention

22. The Basic Requirements of a Direct Retainer
A properly designed direct retainer (clasp) assembly
should provide:
v Support
v Stabilization
v Reciprocation
v Encirclement
v Passivity
v Retention

23. The Basic Requirements of a Direct Retainer
A properly designed direct retainer (clasp) assembly
should provide:
v Support
v Stabilization
v Reciprocation
v Encirclement
v Passivity
v Retention

24. The Basic Requirements of a Direct Retainer
A properly designed direct retainer (clasp) assembly
should provide:
v Support
v Stabilization
v Reciprocation
v Encirclement
v Passivity
v Retention

25. Designing RPD Frameworks
Draw the ideal RPD design (on paper)
v There are no classic designs. Any design is a product of diagnosis, treatment
planning, abutment, arch and occlusal criteria, with the application of design principles
and philosophy and an appreciation of RPD biomechanics.
Design Issues Why did we use a lingual plate in this case?
v Status of potential abutments
v Endodontic status
v Periodontal status
v Rests
v Cingulum
v Circular concave
v Palatal connector
v Presence of large torus
v Periodontal status
v Retainers
v Size of teeth
v Angulation of teeth

26. Designing RPD Frameworks
Draw the ideal RPD design (on paper)
v There are no classic designs. Any design is a product of diagnosis, treatment
planning, abutment, arch and occlusal criteria, with the application of design principles
and philosophy and an appreciation of RPD biomechanics.
Design Issues v Why no lingual plate in this patient?
v Status of potential abutments v When an anterior palatal strap is used what
design factors need to be kept in mind?
v Endodontic status
v Periodontal status
v Rests
v Cingulum
v Circular concave
v Palatal connector
v Presence of large torus
v Periodontal status
v Retainers
v Size of teeth
v Angulation of teeth

27. Designing RPD Frameworks
Draw the ideal RPD design (on paper)
v There are no classic designs. Any design is a product of diagnosis, treatment
planning, abutment, arch and occlusal criteria, with the application of design
principles and philosophy and an appreciation of RPD biomechanics.
v What would you do if the premolars
Design Issues presented with a 60:40 crown root ratio?
v How would your design change if the 2nd
v Status of potential abutments
premolars had been endodontically treated?
v Endodontic status
v Periodontal status
v Rests
v Cingulum
v Circular concave
v Palatal connector
v Presence of large torus
v Periodontal status
v Retainers
v Size of teeth
v Angulation of teeth

28. Designing RPD Frameworks
Draw the ideal RPD design (on paper)
v There are no classic designs. Any design is a product of diagnosis, treatment
planning, abutment, arch and occlusal criteria, with the application of design
principles and philosophy and an appreciation of RPD biomechanics.
Design Issues v Why did we use a circumferential
v Status of potential abutments clasp on the molar
v Endodontic status
v Periodontal status
v Rests
v Cingulum
v Circular concave
v Palatal connector
v Presence of large torus
v Periodontal status
v Retainers
v Size of teeth
v Angulation of teeth

29. Designing RPD Frameworks
Draw the ideal RPD design (on paper)
v There are no classic designs. Any design is a product of diagnosis, treatment
planning, abutment, arch and occlusal criteria, with the application of design
principles and philosophy and an appreciation of RPD biomechanics.
v What are the special needs of this
Design Issues patient? Retention, stability or support?
v Status of potential abutments v What if the left cuspid was an
v Endodontic status overdenture abutment? How would this
v Periodontal status change your design?
v Rests
v Cingulum
v Circular concave
v Major connector
v Retainers
v Size of teeth
v Angulation of teeth

30. Designing RPD Frameworks
Draw the ideal RPD design (on paper)
v There are no classic designs. Any design is a product of diagnosis, treatment
planning, abutment, arch and occlusal criteria, with the application of design
principles and philosophy and an appreciation of RPD biomechanics.
v Why the circumferential clasp on
Design Issues the premolar rather than an “I” bar?
v Status of potential abutments v Why incisal rests rather than
v Endodontic status cingulum rests?
v Periodontal status v Why lingual plate rather than
v Rests lingual bar?
v Cingulum
v Circular concave
v Major connector
v Retainers
v Size of teeth
v Angulation of teeth

31. Important Points for Unilateral Extensions:
Proximal Plates (Guide Planes) and
Minor Connectors are PARALLEL.
What role is played by the rest
on the premolar?
“Options on Tooth-borne Side:
v Molars are better abutments
than premolars.
v May need C-clasp (tilted tooth,
etc.)
v Buccal Reciprocation is Crucial.

32. Lab Prescriptions
Good Design Prescriptions will have -
v Sharp, smooth outlines in
identical color
v Design outlines
proportionately drawn
v Bead seals clearly marked
v Retention areas indicated
v Guide plane tissue contacts
marked
v Resin - metal finish lines
clearly marked

33. Designing RPD Frameworks
Draw the ideal RPD design (on paper)
v There are no classic designs. Any design is a product of diagnosis, treatment
planning, abutment, arch and occlusal criteria, with the application of design
principles and philosophy and an appreciation of RPD biomechanics.
Design sequence
v Rests
v Major connector
v Minor connectors
v Denture base retainers
v Retainers

34. Designing RPD Frameworks
Draw the ideal RPD design (on paper)
v There are no classic designs. Any design is a product of diagnosis, treatment
planning, abutment, arch and occlusal criteria, with the application of design
principles and philosophy and an appreciation of RPD biomechanics.
Design sequence
v Rests
v Major connector
v Minor connectors
v Denture base retainers
v Retainers

35. The Basic Requirements of a Direct Retainer
A properly designed direct retainer (clasp) assembly
should provide:
v Support
v Stabilization
v Reciprocation
v Encirclement
v Passivity
v Retention

36. Lab Prescriptions
Good Design Prescriptions will have
v Sharp, smooth outlines in identical color
v Design outlines proportionately drawn
v Bead seals clearly marked
v Retention areas indicated
v Guide plane tissue contacts marked
v Resin - metal finish lines clearly marked

37. Designing RPD Frameworks
Draw the ideal RPD design (on paper)
v There are no classic designs. Any design is a product of diagnosis, treatment
planning, abutment, arch and occlusal criteria, with the application of design
principles and philosophy and an appreciation of RPD biomechanics.
Design sequence
v Rests
v Major connector
v Minor connectors
v Denture base retainers
v Retainers

38. Designing RPD Frameworks
Draw the ideal RPD design (on paper)
v There are no classic designs. Any design is a product of diagnosis, treatment
planning, abutment, arch and occlusal criteria, with the application of design
principles and philosophy and an appreciation of RPD biomechanics.
Design sequence
v Rests
v Major connector
v Minor connectors
v Denture base retainers
v Retainers

39. RPD Design Exercise
Clean, smooth and legible
Designs must:
v Specify retention
v Bead seals clear marked
v Resin–metal finish lines clearly marked
v Sharp, smooth outlines in identical color
v Design outlines proportionately drawn
v Guide plane tissue contact area clearly marked

40. Laboratory Prescription
v Rx must be clearly defined
v Clearances and anatomic concerns marked
v Specify retention
v Specify materials to be used
v Special Requests
v Evaluation of Wax-up on Refractory
v Inclusion of PFM restoration on Master Cast

41. Clean and legible
Good Design Prescriptions will have:
v Sharp, smooth outlines in identical color
v Design outlines proportionately drawn
v Lightly shade relief areas in light red
v Retention areas marked in heavy red
v Guide plane tissue contacts marked
v Resin - metal finish lines clearly marked

42. Ability of Major Connectors to Provide
Rigidity and Support
Major Connector Support Rigidity
Palatal strap good to excellent good to excellent
Anterior-posterior strap good excellent
Complete palatal plate excellent excellent
Anterior-posterior palatal bar poor good
Palatal bar poor poor
Horseshoe (anterior strap) poor poor
Lingual bar poor good
Lingual plate poor good to excellent

43. Design Principles
List Major Connector Criteria:
1. Rigidity
2. Functional
3. Anatomic
4. Physiologic

44. Anterior Edentulous Space
v Consider Esthetic Area of Visibility.
v Consider Rotational Path Design Option.
v Consider Fixed Prosthodontic Option
v Consider implant option.

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