This document provides definitions and classifications of direct retainers used in removable partial dentures. It discusses the basic parts of a clasp assembly including the rest, body, shoulder, retentive arm, and terminal. It covers principles of clasp design including retention, support, stability, encirclement and passivity. Factors affecting retention such as clasp type, flexibility, length, diameter, taper, curvature and material are explained. The location of the retentive terminal in the undercut is also an important factor for retention.

1. Dr. Kriti Trehan
MDS II
Direct Retainers
1

2. Contents
 Introduction
 Definitions
 Classification
 Basic part of clasp assembly
 Basic Principles of clasp design
 Cast circumferential clasp
 Bar clasp
 Other types of clasp
 Conclusion
2

3. Introduction
 Retention is that quality of a removable partial denture
(RPD) which resists the forces of gravity, the adhesiveness
of foods, and the forces associated with opening the jaws.
 A removable partial denture must include components that
prevent displacement of the prosthesis from the patient’s
mouth during function.
 The components of a removable partial denture that
engage abutments and resist dislodging forces are called
direct retainers.
3

4. oThis ensures effective prosthesis retention and
minimizes the transmission of detrimental forces to the
associated abutments and supporting tissues.
oIn general, there are two types of direct retainers:
intracoronal direct retainers and extracoronal direct
retainers.
4

5. DEFINITIONS
Direct retainer: That component of a removable partial
denture used to retain and prevent dislodgment,
consisting of a clasp assembly or precision attachment
Direct retention : Retention obtained in a removable
partial denture by the use of clasps or attachments that
resist removal from the abutment teeth
5

6. Classification Of Direct Retainers
6

7. Extracoronal direct retainers
 They serve to retain and stabilize removable partial
dentures when dislodging forces are encountered.
 Extracoronal direct retainers may be divided into
two distinct subcategories: extracoronal attachments
and retentive clasp assemblies.
7

8. Extracoronal attachment
 First proposed by Henry H Boos 1900 later modified by
Ewing F Roach in 1908.
 Located outside the teeth.
 It derives their retention from closely fitting components
termed matrices and patrices.
 Permit vertical movement during occlusal
loading,minimize potentially damaging forces to abutment.
This concept has led to “stress breaking” or “stress
directing” theories of removable partial denture design.
8

9. Retentive clasp assemblies
 It first appeared in the dental literature with Dr W. G. A.
Bonwill’s description in 1899.
 The retentive element of an individual clasp assembly is a metal
clasp arm that displays a limited amount of flexibility.
 A clasp terminus designed to contact the abutment surface
apical to the height of contour will resist displacement in an
occlusal direction.
 Resistance to displacement is encountered because the clasp arm
must undergo “deflection” or “bending” to pass over the height
of contour
9

10.  Therefore, retention of the removable partial denture
is determined, in part, by the location of the clasp
terminus relative to the height of contour.
 The chosen path of insertion and removal will
always define the height of contour and the
associated areas of undercut.
10

11. Prothero’s concept
 Proposed “cone theory” of clinical
crown in 1916 that provides conceptual
basis of mechanical retention.
 Contours of clinical crown resembles
two cones sharing a common base.
 The line formed at the junction of this
base represents the greatest diameter of
the tooth.
 This greatest diameter is called height
of contour or point of maximum
convexity.
11

12. M.M DEVAN introduced the terms Suprabulge and
Infrabulge.
These terms explain the coronal form, clasp form and clasp
placement.
According to him :
Suprabulge : It is that portion of an abutment that
converges towards the occlusal or incisal surface and is
considered as suprabulge aspect of the abutment.
Infrabulge : It is that portion of the clinical crown that
converges apically from the height of contour and is
considered the infrabulge aspect of the abutment.
12

13. As an extension of DeVan’s concepts, professionals have
defined two basic categories of retentive clasp assemblies:
1. Circumferential or suprabulge direct retainers
2. Vertical projection, bar-type, or infrabulge direct retainers
13

14. The basic parts of a clasp assembly :
14

15.  Rest : It is the part of the clasp
that lies on the occlusal, lingual
or incisal surface of a tooth and
resist tissue ward movement of
the clasp.
 Body of the clasp : It is the part
of the clasp that connects the
rest and shoulder of the clasp
to the minor connector. It must
be rigid and above the height
of contour.
15

16.  Shoulder: It is the part of the
clasp that connects the body to
the clasp terminals. It must lie
above the height of contour and
provide some stabilisation against
horizontal displacement of the
prosthesis.
 Reciprocal arm: A rigid clasp arm
placed above the height of
contour on the side of the tooth,
opposing the retentive clasp arm.
16

17.  Retentive arm : It is the part of
the clasp comprising the
shoulder which is not flexible
and is located above the height
of the contour.
 Retentive terminal: It is the
terminal end of the retentive
clasp arm. It is the only
component of the removable
partial denture that lies on the
tooth surface cervical to the
height of the contour. It
possesses a certain degree of
flexibility and offers the
property of direct retention.
17

18.  Minor connector : It is the part of
the clasp that joins the body of the
clasp to the remainder of the
framework and must be rigid.
 Approach arm : It is a component of
the bar clasp. It is a minor connector
that projects from the framework,
runs along the mucosa and turns to
cross the gingival margin of the
abutment tooth to approach the
undercut from a gingival direction.
18

19.  Retention
 Support
 Stability
 Reciprocation
 Encirclement
 Passivity
Requirements of a Clasp assembly
19

20. • Retention is the quality of the clasp assembly that resists
forces acting to dislodge components away from the
supporting tissues. It is not only the direct retainer which
makes a RPD retentive but the effective design and its
accurate construction.
1. Only the retentive terminus should engage the prescribed
undercut.
2. The accompanying rest must provide support so the clasp
terminus is maintained in an optimal location.
3. The minor connector must be sufficiently rigid to ensure
proper stability.
Retention:
20

21. 4.The reciprocal element must contact the abutment slightly
before the retentive element contacts the tooth, and it must
maintain contact until the prosthesis is fully seated to protect
the abutment from potentially destructive lateral forces.
5.Components must provide sufficient encirclement to prevent
movement of the abutment away from the associated clasp
assembly, otherwise retention will be lost.
6. Indirect retainers must resist forces acting to dislodge the
prosthesis from its fully seated position
21

22. Factors affecting the amount of retention provided by a clasp
assembly :
Type of clasp used
 Flexibility of the retentive arm
 Location of the retentive terminal in the prescribed undercut
22

23. Type of clasp used: Infrabulge Vs Suprabulge
•Infrabulge clasp requires that the retentive arm be "pushed" over
the height of contour.
• Suprabulge clasp is "pulled" over the height of contour.
•Push type of retention better than pull type.
23

24. Flexibility
Dr K. J. Anusavice defines maximum flexibility as the strain
occurring when a material is stressed to its proportional limit.
Maximum flexibility of a retentive clasp arm may be defined as
the greatest amount of displacement that can occur without
causing permanent deformation of the clasp arm.
24

25. Flexibility of the clasp arm depends on its
 Length
 Cross-sectional form
 Cross-sectional diameter
 Longitudinal taper
 Clasp curvature
 Metallurgical characteristics of the alloy.
 By increasing the flexibility of the clasp, the horizontal
stresses imparted to an abutment during placement,
withdrawal, and movement of the prosthesis may be
reduced.
25

26. Length
Flexibility  as Length 
Flexibility = L3
Increasing the length and thus the flexibility reduces the
horizontal forces on the abutment tooth during insertion and
withdrawal.
26

27. Cross sectional diameter
 Flexibility as diameter .
 The average diameter to be considered is at a point midway
between its origin and its terminal end.
 Thickness of the clasp arm in the buccolingual direction is to be
considered rather than the width in the occluso-gingival
direction.
27

28. Taper:
A uniformly tapered clasp is more flexible than a
nontapered clasp of the same proximal dimensions.
The taper should be consistent for both width and thickness.
The cross-sectional dimensions at the shoulder of the clasp
should be twice the crosssectional dimensions at the clasp
terminus.
28

29. A circular cross-sectional clasp form imparts omni directional
flexure, while a half-round form allows only bidirectional
flexure.
Consequently, a clasp exhibiting a circular cross-sectional
form may permit dissipation of detrimental forces in all
spatial planes.
Cross-sectional form
29

30. oCurvature of a clasp in more than one spatial plane reduces
the clasp's flexibility.
oWhen contouring a wrought-wire clasp arm, the operator
should ensure that the clasp arm remains in a single plane of
space.
oMultiple bends, especially those placing the clasp arm in
multiple planes of space, may produce permanent
deformation of the microstructure and lead to increased
rigidity.
Curvature of a clasp
30

31. Material used for clasp arm
Gold alloy : Greater flexibility than chrome alloys
Disadvantage of cast gold alloys :
a) Bulk of the prosthesis.
b) Costly
Chrome alloys: Have a higher modulus of elasticity &
therefore less flexibility.
 So in less undercut areas CoCr alloy can be used but in
cases of deep undercut wrought metal can be used.
31

32. Two dimensions of an undercut:
(1)Mediolateral or horizontal dimension
(2) Occluso-apical or vertical dimension.
Location of retentive clasp terminus
32

33. Greater the horizontal undercut engaged, greater will be the
retention.
33

34. When the analyzing rod is positioned in the surveyor and
placed against the tooth surface, an angular space is formed
apical to the height of contour .
This angular space represents a mechanical undercut.
Placement of a clasp terminus into a mechanical undercut
forms the basis for removable partial denture design,
construction, and service.
The angle formed between the analyzing rod and the tooth
surface apical to the height of contour is called the angle of
cervical convergence.
34

35. 35
As the angle of cervical convergence becomes greater, the
force required to remove the retentive clasp from the
abutment also becomes greater.
Vertical distance from the height of contour is also very
important. Less the distance from the survey line steeper the
inclined plane and so greater force required to remove the
clasp out of the undercut.

36.  Support is the quality of a clasp assembly that resists
displacement of a prosthesis in an apical direction.
 Components for vertical support:
o Rest
o Elements that contact the abutment occlusal to the height
of contour (eg, a reciprocal element or shoulder of retentive
clasp)
Support
36

37. Stability is the quality of a clasp assembly that resists
displacement of a prosthesis in a horizontal direction.
All framework components that are rigid and contact
vertically oriented hard and soft tissues may contribute to the
stability of a prosthesis.
Components such as reciprocal element, rigid portion of
retentive clasp arm, minor connectors and guide plates
contribute to bracing.
Stability
37

38. Reciprocation is the quality of a clasp assembly that
counteracts lateral displacement of an abutment when the
retentive clasp terminus passes over the height of contour.
This component is known as a reciprocal element.
Reciprocation
38

39. 39
The reciprocal element may be a cast clasp, lingual plating, or
a combination of mesial and distal minor connectors.

40. Encirclement is the characteristic of a clasp assembly that
prevents movement of an abutment away from the associated
clasp assembly.
Each clasp assembly must be designed to provide direct
contact over at least 180 degrees of the tooth’s circumference.
Encirclement
40

41. A clasp assembly should be passive when fully seated. The
retentive arm should be activated only when dislodging
forces are applied to RPD.
If the clasp assembly is not fully seated, the retentive
terminus will not be positioned in its intended location. As a
result, the clasp assembly will apply non-axial (ie, lateral)
forces to the abutment.
Passivity
41

42. SUPRABULGE INFRABULGE
43

43. Types of clasps
Combin-
Ation
clasp
Onlay
clasp
Ring
clasp
Embrasure
Clasp
Multiple
circlet
Fish-hook
Hair pin
Reverse
circlet
Simple
circlet
Cast
Circumfere-
ntial
Suprabulge
44

44. Suprabulge or Cast circumferential or Akers clasp
Introduced by Dr.N.B.Nesbitt in 1916.
Design :
The clasp approaches undercut from
edentulous area and engages undercut
opposite to edentulous space.
Indication :
Tooth supported partial denture.
Contraindication :
They cannot be used for distal extension cases
as they engage the mesiobuccal undercut
45

45. Advantages
Simplicity of design
Easy construction
Provides excellent support, bracing and retentive properties
Close adaptation to tooth surface so no food entrapment.
Disadvantages
 Large amount of tooth covered, so underlying enamel prone
to decalcification.
 The display of metal.
46

46. Design rules:
The clasp should arise from the main body of the clasp
assembly above the height of contour.
All the components of the C clasp should be present above
the height of contour except the retentive tip.
The retentive terminus should always be directed towards
the occlusal surface never towards the gingiva.
 It should always terminate at the mesial or distal line angle
never at midfacial or midlingual surface.
47

47. Simple circlet design
 The simple circlet clasp design is versatile and
widely used.
 Indication: Tooth-supported removable partial
dentures.
48

48. Advantages :
1. Fulfills the design requirements.
2. Easy to construct
3. Simple to repair.
Disadvantages:
1. Adjustment is difficult.
2. The clasp assembly tends to increase the circumference of
the clinical crown which may interfere with the elimination
of food from the occlusal table and may deprive the
adjacent gingival tissues of essential physiologic
stimulation.
3. Increased tooth coverage may promote decalcification and
compromise dental esthetics.
49

49. Reverse circlet clasp
Used when undercut is located at the facial or
lingual line angle adjacent to an edentulous space.
Design : It consists of a mesial occlusal rest, a
horizontal reciprocal arm, and a retentive arm
engaging the distobuccal undercut adjacent to the
edentulous area.
50

50. Disadvantages:-
 Weak clasp if sufficient preparation is not done.
 Poor aesthetics if used in premolars and cuspids.
51

51. Multiple circlet clasp
 A multiple circlet clasp design involves two simple circlet
clasps joined at the terminal aspects of their reciprocal
elements.
52

52. Embrasure clasp
 Two circlet clasps joined at the body.
 This design is most frequently used on the side of the arch
where there is no edentulous space.
 Occlusal rests must be used to support the embrasure
portions of the clasp.
53

53. 54
 Breakage due to inadequate occlusal clearance and
concomitant lack of metal thickness.
The problem can be avoided by adequate rest seat
preparation and by careful preparation where the clasp
assembly enters and exits the rest area.

54. o Wedging of the abutments can also occur if rest seat
preparations are omitted or inadequate.
oThe rest seat preparations must be deeper toward the center
of the occlusal surface than at the marginal ridges.
55

55. Ring clasp
 Indication – tipped mandibular molars.
 Contraindication - limited vestibular depth precludes
placement of an auxiliary bracing arm.
56

56. 57

57. Advantages:-
 Provides adequate encirclement.
Excellent retention with adequate flexibility due to
increased length of clasp arm
Disadvantages:-
Oral hygiene becomes more complicated.
Decalcification of teeth.
 Increased occlusal table.
Poor structure of clasp.
Susceptible to distortion and fracture.
58

58.  A simple circlet clasp in which the retentive arm loops back
to engage an undercut apical to the point of origin.
 Used when a distofacial undercut is present adjacent to the
edentulous space.
C-clasp (reverse action, hairpin or fishhook
clasp)
59

59. Retentive arm has two horizontal components
1. The occlusal portion - minor connector and must be rigid.
2. The apical portion -pass over the height of contour to
engage the desired undercut.
Consideration:-
• Sufficient clinical crown height.
• Space between occlusal and apical arm.
• Occlusal arm shouldn’t interfere within the occlusion.
This clasp is indicated when the:
1. Soft tissue contour precludes use of a bar-type clasp and
2. When the reverse circlet cannot be considered because of a
lack of occlusal clearance.
60

60. DISADVANTAGES :
1. A C-clasp design generally yields inadequate flexibility as a
result, the abutment may be subjected to harmful non-axial
forces.
2. The C-clasp also results in considerable coverage of the
abutment surface.
3. The excessive display of metal associated with this clasp
often renders the C-clasp esthetically unacceptable.
61

61. Onlay clasp design
 An onlay clasp consists of a rest that covers the entire
occlusal surface and serves as the origin for buccal and
lingual clasp arms.
 This clasp design is indicated when the occlusal surface of
the abutment lies noticeably apical to the occlusal plane.
 The onlay rest serves as a vertical stop and also aids in the
establishment of an acceptable occlusal plane.
62

62. 63

63. Wrought-wire circumferential clasp
 Introduced by Dr. O.C.Applegate in 1965.
 The combination clasp consists of an occlusal rest, a cast
metal reciprocal arm, and a wrought-wire retentive arm.
 Indication: Kennedy Class I or Class II posterior
edentulous area when the usable undercut is located at the
mesiofacial line angle of the most posterior abutment.
64

64. The wrought-wire component is circular in cross section,
thereby permitting flexure in all directions. This
omnidirectional flexure allows the clasp to flex in all
planes and can minimize the transfer of potentially
harmful forces to the abutment.
65

65. Advantages:
1.Increased flexibility allows the clasp tips to be placed in
deeper undercuts and are more esthetic.
2.Allows for greater adjustability, because of their round form,
they can be adjusted in any spatial plane.
Disadvantages:
1.Additional laboratory procedure
2.Increased potential for permanent deformation by the
patient.
66

66. Infrabulge clasp (Vertical projection or roach or bar
type clasp)
 Popularized by Ewing Roach in 1930 called it the Bar
Clasp.
 An infrabulge clasp approaches the undercut region of
an abutment from an apical direction.
 Push type retention.
 Flexibility of clasp from length and taper.
 More aesthetic than C clasp. Ex :- Y clasp, T clasp, I clasp
67

67. Design rules for Infrabulge Clasps:
o Approach arm should not impinge the soft tissues.
o Tissue surface smooth and well polished.
o Approach arm should cross the free gingival margin at 90
degrees.
o To optimize flexibility the approach arm should be
uniformly tapered from its origin to the clasp terminus.
o Clasp terminus should be positioned as far apically on the
abutment as is practical.
68

68. Types of Infrabulge clasps:
Y- clasp
Modified T – clasp
T – clasp
I- clasp
69

69. T – Clasp
Indications :
 Kennedy Class I or Class II partially edentulous situations
when an undercut is located adjacent to the edentulous
area.
Contraindication :
 Available undercut is located on the mesiofacial aspect of
the most posterior abutment.
 If the approach arm must cross over an area of severe soft
tissue undercut.
 When the height of contour is located near the occlusal
surface.
70

70. 71

71. Modified T-clasp design
 The modified T-clasp is essentially a T-clasp that lacks the
nonretentive, horizontal projection.
Uses :
 Used on canines and premolars for aesthetics
Disadvantage :
 180 ° coverage is not present which compromises bracing
and reciprocation.
72

72. Y – Clasp
 A Y- clasp is formed when the approach arm
terminates in the cervical third of the abutment , while
the mesial and distal projections are positioned near
the occlusal surface.
 When height of contour high on the mesial & distal line
angle but lower in centre.
73

73. I- bar clasp
 In 1963, Kratochvil introduced I-bar design philosophy.
Consists of
• A mesial rest,
• Long distal proximal plate
• I- bar retentive element.
 I clasp lack the horizontal retentive arms but only a horizontal
retentive tip.
 The retentive tip contacts the abutment surface only at the
undercut region. The amount of contact is about 2 to 3mm in
height and 1.5 mm in width.
74

74. KROL’S RPI SYSTEM
This concept of clasping abutment teeth is a modification
of the concept presented by Kratochvil.
The components of the clasp are a rest with its minor
connector, proximal plate, and an I bar clasp.
75

75. Mesiocclusal rest
The abutment tooth contains the mesiocclusal rest with the
minor connector placed into the mesiolingual embrasure but
not contacting the adjacent tooth .
It acts as the point of rotation and exerts a mesial force on
the tooth rather than a distal displacing force.
76

76. Proximal Plate
The superior edge of the proximal
plate is located at the bottom of the
prepared guide plane which should
be at the junction of occlusal 1/3
and middle 1/3 of the proximal
surface. The remainder of the
proximal plate lies below the guide
plane.
The proximal plate extends lingually
just far enough so that the distance
between the minor connector and
proximal plate is less than the
mesiodistal width of the tooth .
77

77. I-bar
The approach arm of the I bar extends from the framework
so as to remain at least 3 mm from the gingival margin and
then crosses the gingival margin at right angles
Approximately 2 mm of the I bar contacts the tooth
surface, usually at the gingival one third of the tooth.
The I-bar terminus assumes a more mesial position to
achieve more efficient reciprocation from the small Proximal
Plate.
78

78. CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR RPI CLASP
1. Insufficient depth of vestibule to permit the approach
arm of the I bar to be located at least 3 mm from gingival
margin.
2. A tooth which has a severe lingual tilt and no labial or
buccal undercut.
3. Tissue undercut so severe that the approach arm of the I
bar would be too far away from the tissue and act as a
food trap or irritate the mucosa of the lip or cheek.
4. Teeth which are severely flared labially or bucally.
5. A tooth which has only a distobuccal retention undercut
and does not require a restoration.
6. A mouth with a high floor in which a lingual plate is
used on the lingual surface of the abutment tooth.
79

79. RPA clasp (rest-proximal plate-akers clasp):
The rest-proximal plate-Aker’s clasp was developed and
described by Eliason in 1983.
• It consists of a mesial occlusal rest, proximal plate and a
circumferential clasp arm, which arises from the superior
portion of the proximal plate and extends around the tooth to
engage the mesial undercut.
80

80. 81
Advantages :
a) The circumferential-type retentive arm is easier to grasp for
removal of the prosthesis.
b) The clasp is simple in design with few variations among
patients and thus can be easily and consistently fabricated
by dental laboratories.
c) The circumferential retentive arm avoids the tissue
problems around abutment teeth and allows the RPA clasp
to be used in many situations where the RPI clasp is
contraindicated.

81. Estheti clasp
 The Estheti clasp is recommended for patients with
required abutment teeth in the esthetic zone (incisors and
bicuspids).
 Advantages :
 Optimum esthetics,
 No attachment maintenance cost.
 It utilizes the proximal undercuts and encircles the tooth by
181°.
84

82.  Estheti clasp may be in the form of Lclasp or C-clasp.
 L-clasp: The design consists of the clasp arm
extending from lingual minor connector with an
independent reciprocal rest. The L-clasp has greater
rigidity than the C-clasp.
 C-clasp: It consists of a modified back-action clasp
with rest incorporated in clasp.
85

83. Saddle lock
 The saddle-lock system eliminates facial clasps by
using the available mesial/distal concave surfaces of
the abutment teeth for retention instead of the buccal
undercuts.
86

84. The benefits of saddle lock :
 Superior esthetics, without visible clasps.
Improved retention with little or no adjustment.
Easy vertical insertion that protects abutments.
Applicable in most partial denture cases.
Simple preparation procedures for less chair time.
87

85. Equipoise RPD system
 Proposed by J. J. Goodman, it is
an esthetic retentive concept for
distal extension situations.
 The equipoise clasp is a lingual
backaction clasp that is fully
reciprocated and extremely
esthetic with no facial clasp
displays.
 Rests are placed away from
edentulous span. Vertical inter-
proximal reduction of 1 mm
between abutment and adjacent
tooth is done.
88

86.  The unique Class II lever design protects, preserves and
strengthens abutment teeth while directing all forces down
the long axis of the abutment tooth.
This concept works very well on premolar abutment. The
occlusal rest provides excellent reciprocation for the clasp
and the clasp tip can engage an undercut in the distobuccal
line angle.
89

87. Proflex clear wire clasps
 Clear wire is an excellent new way to fabricate clear,
strong, flexible clasps in minutes.
This new material and technique can be used to
make T-bars, I-bars, Roaches, Acers, and most other
types of clasps.
 It can also be used to add or repair clasps in an
existing partial denture.
90

88. Metal-free clasps
 The metal-free materials available now are ideal for
flexibility and esthetics thus allowing esthetic functional
care in the true sense.
 Opti•flex invisible clasp partials: With the Opti•Flex
acetyl resin clasps, metal-free, lightweight partial dentures
that provide natural esthetics and a comfortable fit can be
designed.
91

89. Flexite plus cast thermoplastic
 Flexite Plus ‘Flexible’ partial dentures eliminate the use of
metal, providing patients with a metal partial denture
alternative.
 Flexite Plus is fabricated from a flexible thermoplastic
material that is available in three tissue shades.
 The material is monomer-free, virtually unbreakable,
lightweight, and impervious to oral fluids.
 Flexite Plus may also be combined with a metal framework
to eliminate the display of metal labial clasps.
92

90. The Use of a Modified Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK) as
an Alternative Framework Material for Removable Dental
Prostheses.
Traditional removable dental prostheses (RDP) with
chromecobalt frameworks and clasps have been an
inexpensive and predictable treatment option for the
rehabilitation of partially edentulous patients.
 The esthetically unacceptable display of metal clasps, the
increased weight of the prosthesis, the potential for metallic
taste, and allergic reactions to metals led to the introduction of
a number of thermoplastic materials in clinical practice such
as nylon and acetal resins
93

91. Advantages of nylon :
1. Provide improved esthetics
2. Reduction of rotational forces on the abutment teeth due to
their low elastic modulus.
Disadvantages of a nylon RDP
1. The inability for a reline procedure
2. Lack of occlusal rests as well as rigid frameworks, that
could lead to occlusal instability and sinking, especially in
Kennedy class I and II cases. On the other hand, acetal
94

92. Acetal resins present adequate mechanical strength to form a
framework more rigid than nylon with retentive clasps,
connectors, and supportive element.
However, the acetal resin material lacks natural translucency
and vitality.
 An alternative restoration material (poly-ether-ether-ketone
[PEEK]) can be used for construcion of RPD.
A modified PEEK material containing 20% ceramic fillers is a
high performance polymer (BioHPP; Bredent GmbH, Senden,
Germany),.
95

93. Advantages :
1. High biocompatibility
2. Good mechanical properties
3. High temperature resistance
4. Chemical stability.
5. Due to a 4 GPa modulus of elasticity, it is as elastic as bone
and can reduce stresses transferred to the abutment teeth.
6. Furthermore, the white color of BioHPP frameworks
provides a different esthetic approach than the
conventional metal framework display does.
7. Elimination of allergic reactions and metallic taste
8. High polishing qualities
9. Low plaque affinity
10.Good wear resistance.
96

94. 97

95. REFERENCES
1. Stewart,Rudd and Kuebker :Clinical removable Partial
Prosthodontics, 4th edition.2008.
2. McCracken’s removable partial prosthodontics, 13th
Edn. St. Louis ; CV Mosby Co.
3. Krol AJ. RPI clasp retainer and its modifications. Dent
Clinics North Am 1973;17:631– 649.
4. RPA clasp design- Charles Eliason – J prosthet
dent:1983:49;25-27.
98

96.  Khan SB.Aesthetic Clasp Design for Removable
Partial Dentures: A Literature Review. SADJ 2005
:60;5:190 – 194.
 Zoidis P, Papathanasiou I,Polyzois G, .The Use of a
Modified Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK) as an
Alternative Framework Material for Removable
Dental Prostheses. A Clinical Report. Journal of
Prosthodontics.2015;1–5.
99