The document outlines the definition, functions, and requirements of major connectors used in removable partial dentures (RPD), including types for both mandibular and maxillary applications. It discusses various designs such as the lingual bar, lingual plate, and antero-posterior palatal bar, along with their indications, advantages, and disadvantages. The emphasis is on achieving rigidity, comfort for patients, and proper positioning to avoid interference with gingival margins and soft tissues.

1. Major
ConneCtor
Tanta UNIversity
Fatema al zhraa
alhaj omar

2. Definition
• Major Connectors is
the of PD that
connect parts of
prosthesis from one
side to other side&
all other parts of
RPD are attached to
it directly or
indirectly

3. Functions
• Make RPD as a one unit
• Equal stress distribution at the parts of
RPPD
• Cross arch stabilization
• If it rested on hard tissue give support
(unless if it rested on soft tissue , relief
must be done

4. Requirements
• Rigid to give equal distribution of forces
• should be comfort to patient
• shouldn't interference with movable tissue
• shouldn't impingement of gingival margins (maxilla at
least 6mm from margins mandible at least 3-4 mm from
gingiva)
• shouldn't have sharp edges or margins
• Should be perpendicular at minor connector but with
gentle curve
• Avoid food impaction
• designed to be self cleansable area

5. Types of mandibular major
connectors
• Lingual bar
• lingual plate
• Double lingual bar ( lingual bar with a
continuous bar indirect retainer)
• labial bar (plate)
• cingulum bar
• sublingual bar

6. 1- Lingual bar
The most common used
The simplest major connector

7. Design of lingual bar
1. it is half pear shape (flat to floor )
2. superior portion is thin& inferior portion is
thick
3. superior portion should be away from
gingival at least 3-4mm
4. portion should be present as low as floor
of the mouth
5. if lingual undercut present, relief should
be done

8. Advantages # Disadvantages
* Advantages
1. simple
2.accebted tongue
3. No interference to gingiva
* Disadvantages
it is rigid if poorty constructed

9. 2- lingual plate major connector
Use it if I have not convenient
height to use ling.bar(<5mm)
Cover the cingulum and take
its shape
Lingual plate called
as (interrupted
lingual plate )
In diastema case

10. Design lingual plate
• Cover gingiva and cingulum of ant teeth
• Must have cingulum rest
**indication:
1- functional bar < 7mm
2- more rigidity needed
***contraindication :
Ant.teeth inclined lingually
torus mandibularis

11. Advantages # Disadvantages
• Advantages:
• Most rigid M.C
• Act as indirect retainer
• Reflection food
• Resist horizontal forces
• Cross arch stabilization
• Splinting RPD as one unit
i
• Disadvantages:
• Gingival irritation
• Periodontal disease
• No gingival stimulation
• Disadvantages:
• Gingival irritation
• Periodontal disease
• No gingival stimulation

12. Double lingual bar
(LINGUAL BAR WITH CONTINUOUS
BAR INDIRECT RETAINER)
Indications:
1. Situations where the major
connector must contact the
natural teeth to provide
bracing and indirect retention
and there are open cervical
embrasures which
contraindicate the use of a
lingual plate. There must be
adequate space for the lingual
bar portion of the major connector.
Contraindications:
1. Where a lingual bar or
lingual plate will suffice.
2. Any contraindication for a
lingual bar.
3. Any contraindication for a
lingual plate except open
cervical embrasures.
4. Diastemas.

13. Double lingual bar design
• rest seat preparation
needed
• As lingual plate but
have a space at the
middle
• Half oval shaped

14. Advantages # Disadvantages
• Advantages:
1. More rigid than lingual
bar.
2. Indirect retainer
3. Horizontal stabilization
4. Covers less tooth and
tissue
surface than lingual
plate.
Disadvantages:
1. Very complex design.
2. May be objectionable to
patient because there are four
edges exposed to the tip of
the tongue.
3-food impaction

15. Maxillary major connectors
• Anterior palatal bar
• Posterior palatal bar
• Middle palatal bar
• Anterio posterior palatal bar (ring design )
• Anterior palatal strap
• Middle palatal strap
• Anterio posterior palatal strap (closed horse
shoe )
• Complete plate

16. Maxillary major connectors

17. 1. Antero posterior palatal bar(ring
design)
Indication
1- used when rigidity is important
2- used in any class especially when the anterior and
posterior abutments are widely separated
3- little palatal coverage is needed in case with large palatal
toni

18. 1. Antero posterior palatal bar(ring
design)
Advantages
• rigid
•minimal coverage of palate
Disadvantages
•poor support
• may be thick to overcome the support problem
• anterior bar may interfere with speech

19. 1. (ring design)
Design
•borders should
be smooth
• ant. bar is
flat& post is
curved

20. 2. Closed horses shoes (aniero
posterior palatal strap
Indication
• class I or ll
• when anterior teeth
are to be replaced
• used when tours
palatines is present
•used with all PD
designs

21. 2. Closed horses shoes (aniero
posterior palatal strap
Advantages
•very rigid connector
• give good support from
palate
Disadvantages
•more palatal coverage
•may be less tolerant

22. 2. Closed horses shoes (aniero
posterior palatal strap
Design details
•uniform thickness
• finished border should
be smooth
•it should be located at
least 6mm away from
gingival margins

23. 3.Complete palate
• it cover wide area of palate than any other type of max
connectors
• it should extended anteriory at least 6mm away from
gingival margins
• cover cingula of teeth with relief of gingival margins

24. 3.Complete palate
Indication
• long space in class I
• long saddle
•in heavy bite
•poor rigid& need for
retention
• in patient with cleft palate

25. 3.Complete palate
Advantages
• give highly support
•give highly retention
• give highly bracing(resist
lateral forces)
• wide distribution of vertical
forces which decrease
destruction of abutment teeth
Disadvantages
• not used if present of tours
palatines
• interfere with speech

26. 3.Complete palate
Types
•complete metal
•complete acrylic
•metallic ant palatal connector
with acrylic posterior extension
Design
• it should be located at least
6mm away from gingival
margins
• border should be extended
as complete