These minor connectors must be strong enough to anchor a denture base while providing minimal interference with artificial teeth placement. They should extend as far posteriorly as practical on the ridge. Longitudinal struts along the ridge crest should be avoided as they interfere with tooth placement and weaken the denture base. Transverse struts should pass between tooth necks to aid in arrangement and esthetics. Small openings and mesh construction can weaken the connector and interfere with tooth placement requiring significant tooth reduction. The connector must smoothly join the major connector without irregularities to avoid irritation.

11. These minor connectors must be strong enough to anchor a denture base to
the removable partial denture framework. They must be rigid enough to
resist fracture and displacement.
In addition, these components must provide minimal interference with the
arrangement of artificial teeth. In the maxillary arch, a distal extension base
must extend the entire length of the ridge and should cover the tuberosity.
Consequently, the minor connector should be extended as far posteriorly as
is practical.

14. Positioning of a longitudinal strut along the crest of the ridge must be avoided. This not only interferes
with the placement of artificial teeth, but also predisposes the denture base to fracture.
Transverse struts also must be positioned to facilitate the placement of artificial teeth. When there is
adequate room for the placement of teeth, the number of cross struts is not critical.
When vertical space is minimal, improperly placed struts may create difficulties in tooth placement.
Ideally, transverse struts should be designed to pass between the necks of the artificial teeth.
This aids in tooth arrangement and often results in improved esthetics.

17. Studies have shown that the smaller the openings in this minor connector, the weaker the
attachment. Mesh construction also may interfere with the arrangement of prosthetic teeth.
Mesh must cover the entire ridge crest and cannot be limited to those areas between the necks
of artificial teeth.
As a result, the ridge lap areas of artificial teeth may require significant reduction to facilitate
proper arrangement. When restorative space is minimal, this reduction may be significant and
may result in compromised esthetics.
Mesh construction may be used whenever multiple teeth are to be replaced. Nevertheless, open
construction is preferred.

24. A minor connector that supports an acrylic resin denture base must be joined to
the major connector with sufficient bulk to avoid fracture.
In addition, each acrylic resin denture base must join the major connector in a
smooth, even fashion. Any irregularity or “step” between the two surfaces will
irritate the tongue or the soft tissues of the ridge. Consequently, the interfacial
geometry and material properties must be considered.
Currently, acrylic resin is used to construct the overwhelming majority of
denture bases.
Because acrylic resin gains its strength with increasing bulk, it should not be
finished to a thin edge.

35. McCracken WL. Contemporary partial denture designs. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 1958 Jan
1;8(1):71-84.

36. IE, Abdel‐Khalek EA, Hegazy SA. CAD/CAM constructed poly (etheretherketone)(PEEK) framework
of Kennedy class I removable partial denture: a clinical report. Journal of Prosthodontics. 2019
Feb;28(2):e595-8.

37. Runov J, Kroone H, Stoltze K, Maeda T, El Ghamrawy E, Brill N, Tryde G. Host response to two different
designs of minor connector. Journal of oral rehabilitation. 1980 Mar;7(2):147-53