Minor Connector designing. A descriptive presentation.

1. MINOR
CONNECTORS
Hiba Hamid
Final year BDS
Group C

2. DEFINITIO
N
It is defined as:
The connecting link between the
major connector or base of a
removable partial denture and
other units of the prosthesis,
such as clasps, indirect retainers,
and occlusal rests.

3. FUNCTIONS OF MINOR
CONNECTORS
Connects the major connector to other parts like clasps, rest,
indirect retainers and denture bases.
Transmits stresses evenly to all components so that there is no
concentration of load at any single point. This way forces
applied to one part of RPD are transmitted to other parts and
dissipated.
Transmits forces acting on the prosthesis to the edentulous
ridge and the remaining natural teeth = Prosthesis to abutment
function
Transfers effects of retainers, rests, and stabilizing components
throughout the prosthesis = Abutment to prosthesis function

4. TYPES OF MINOR
CONNECTORS1. Joins clasp assembly to major connectors
2. Joins indirect retainer or auxiliary rest to the major
connector
3. Joins the denture base to the major connector
4. Serves as an approach arm for a vertical projection or bar
type clasp

5. JOINING CLASP ASSEMBLY TO MAJOR
CONNECTORSShould be broader bucco-lingually and thinner mesio-distally.
Should not be bulky so as to avoid tongue interference.
Rigid enough to support active components of partial denture like
retentive clasp.
Exception???
Since it is attached to the rest in the clasp assembly, it prevents tissue-
ward movement of partial denture.
Triangular cross section with thickest portion at lingual line angle of
tooth & thinnest portion at buccal line angle of tooth. This configuration
aids in better teeth arrangement.
Should never be placed at convex lingual surface of tooth.

7. JOINING INDIRECT RETAINER TO MAJOR
CONNECTOR
Main function of this minor connector is to provide indirect retention and
support to the denture
Arise at right angles from major connector with rounded junction
Designed to fit the embrasure space so that they are not visible
Proximal plate: surface of minor connector contacting the tooth.
Guiding plane: surface of tooth in contact with proximal plate.
Undercuts along proximal surfaces of teeth should be removed.
Area where minor connector is to be designed should be devoid of
undercuts. Should have a clear straight parallel path of insertion

9. JOINING DENTURE BASE WITH MAJOR
CONNECTORIt should fulfil following requirements:
 Rigid enough to support and resist breakage of denture base
 Allow proper arrangement of natural teeth
 Maxillary distal extension cases: minor connector should extend up to
the maxillary tuberosity
 Mandibular distal extension cases: minor connector should cover
2/3rd the length of edentulous ridge
 Available in three forms:
 Lattice-work construction
 Mesh-work construction
 Bead, wire, or nail head minor connectors

10. LATTICE-WORK
CONSTRUCTION 2 struts of metal (16 gauge).
 In mandible: one strut buccal, other strut lingual
 In maxilla: one strut buccal, other strut border of major
connector
 Smaller struts running over crest of ridge transversely
connecting the two major struts forming a lattice-work
 Longitudinal struts avoided as they interfere with
arrangement of artificial teeth
 Relief given between struts and ridge for acrylic to flow.
Done with help of tissue stops
 Used for multiple teeth replacements

11. MESH-WORK CONSTRUCTION
 Thin sheet of metal with multiple small holes
that extends over crest of residual ridge to
buccal, lingual, and posterior limits.
 Used for replacement of multiple teeth.
 Additional pressure required for acrylic resin to
flow in to the holes. (disadvantage)
 Retention to denture base is less as holes are
smaller and attachment of acrylic is weaker.

12. BEAD, WIRE, OR NAIL HEAD MINOR
CONNECTORS Minor connector directly lines edentulous ridge
without any relief.
 Acrylic denture base attached to outer surface of
minor connector and retention obtained by
projections of metal on superior surface. Projections
may be beads, nails, or pointing wires.
 This minor connector is indicated for tooth-
supported dentures with well-healed ridges where
frequent relining and rebasing is not anticipated.
Advantages
 better soft tissue response to metal than acrylic
Disadvantages
 Relining is difficult
 Weakest attachment

13. TISSUE
STOPS Integral part of lattice or mesh-work type minor connectors where tissue
stops are used to stabilize the framework during packing of resin
 Prevents distortion of framework.
 Stop gives adequate space for acrylic to flow in-between framework and
tissue surface of cast
 Stops are prepared by removing 2 sq. mm of relief wax used to create space
beneath lattice or mesh work from point where posterior end of minor
connector crosses centre of the ridge.
 During waxing, this little depression is waxed as a projection of lattice or
mesh work
 After casting, this projection contacts the edentulous ridge of the cast and
prevents framework from being distorted during acrylic packing

15. FINISH
LINES
 Finish line in partial denture denotes junction between
acrylic denture base and major connector or any polished
metal surface.
Internal finish line:
 Space between metal framework and tissue surface of
cast is provided by adding relief wax onto edentulous
ridge on master cast.
 Ledge created by margin of relief wax in metal framework
should be sharp and definite.
 This margin is called internal finish line.

16. External finish line
 Junction between acrylic and exposed metal on the
external or polished surface.
 Must be less than 90° at junction of major and
minor connector whereas junction between
approach arm and denture base connector should
be a butt joint.

17. APPROACH ARM MINOR CONNECTOR FOR BAR
TYPE CLASP
This minor connector almost acts like a clasp
Helps to position retentive tips of gingivally approaching clasps.
It is not rigid as it does not have to bear any load. Should have limited
flexibility to aid in removal. Retention is improved by its springy action
Supports direct retainer which engages undercut of tooth by approaching it
gingivally.
Since this minor connector lies below height of contour of tooth, it should
be made slightly flexible for easy insertion and removal. Partial cut on root
of minor connector makes it flexible.