This document discusses major connectors, which connect the components on one side of a dental arch to the other side. It describes the different types of major connectors for the maxilla, including palatal bars, straps, double palatal bars, horseshoe connectors, closed horseshoe connectors, and complete palates. The functions, advantages, disadvantages, and indications for use of each type are explained in detail.

1. Major
Connectors
Presented by
Dr Mujtaba Ashraf
MDS II
Dept. of Prosthodontics
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2. Contents
Introduction to components
 Major Connectors
Types of maxillary major connector
Types of mandibular major connector
 Conclusion
 References
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3. Introduction to Component Parts
Each of the component parts of a removable partial denture
contributes to specific functions of the prosthesis and the
name is most often descriptive of its function.
Components of a typical removable partial denture are:
• Major connectors
• Minor connectors
• Rests
• Direct retainer/Clasps
• Indirect retainers
• One or more denture bases in conjunction with prosthetic teeth.12/17/201
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4. 12/17/201
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5. Major Connector
Definition:
 The part of a partial removable dental prosthesis that joins
the components on one side of the arch to those on the
opposite side. GPT-8
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6. A major connector is the component of the partial
denture that connects the parts of the prosthesis
located on one side of the arch with those on the
opposite side. It is that unit of the partial denture to
which all other parts are directly or indirectly
attached- McCraken
A major connector joins the components on one
side of the arch with those on the opposite side.
Therefore, all components are attached to the
associated major connector either directly or
indirectly. Kenneth Stewarts
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7. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Dr. Norman Nesbett of Boston in 1918 introduced a
denture of the metal type to the profession. His method
consisted of casting the clasps for each tooth individually
and then attaching them by means of solder to a cast gold
boxing which enclosed the replacement tooth or teeth.
In 1925 Dr. Polk E. Akers published a paper
describing the technique for casting a removable partial
denture framework in one piece. Although it was not
accepted first, later it became a momentous technical
break -through and over the period of next few years
became accepted widely. 12/17/201
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8. The chief functions of a major connector include:
- unification of the major parts of the
prosthesis, distribution of the applied force
throughout the arch to selected teeth and tissue, and
minimization of torque to the teeth.
A properly designed major connector effectively
distributes forces throughout the arch and acts to
reduce the load to any one area while effectively
controlling prosthesis movement.
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9. It is through the major connector that other components of
the partial denture become unified and effective.
If the major connector is flexible, the ineffectiveness of
connected components jeopardizes the supporting oral
structures and can be a detriment to the comfort of the
patient.
Failure of the major connector to provide rigidity may be
manifest by traumatic damage to periodontal support of
the abutment teeth, injury to residual ridges, or
impingement of underlying tissue.
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10. Major connectors should be designed and located with the
following guidelines in mind:
1. Major connectors should be free of movable tissue.
2. Impingement of gingival tissue should be avoided.
3. Bony and soft tissue prominences should be avoided
during placement and removal.
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11. 4. Relief should be provided beneath a major
connector to prevent its settling into areas of possible
interference, such as inoperable tori or elevated
median palatal sutures.
5. Major connectors should be located and/or relieved
to prevent impingement of tissue that occurs because
the distal extension denture rotates in function.
Appropriate relief beneath the major connector avoids
the need for its adjustment after tissue damage has
occurred
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12. Major Connecter Design
Specification
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13. Margins of major connectors
adjacent to gingival tissue should
be located far enough from the
tissue to avoid any possible
impingement. To accomplish this, it
is recommended that the superior
border of a lingual bar connector be
located a minimum of 4 mm below
the gingival margin(s)
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14. At the inferior border of the lingual bar connector, the
limiting factor is the height of the moving tissue in the
floor of the mouth. Because the connector must have
sufficient width and bulk to provide rigidity, a linguo-plate
is commonly used when space is insufficient for a lingual
bar.
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15. If less than 8 mm exists between gingival margins and the
movable floor of the mouth,
A linguoplate, a sublingual bar, or a continuous bar is
preferred as a major connector.
Relief is provided for soft tissue under all portions of the
mandibular major connector and at any location where the
framework crosses the marginal gingiva.
The inferior border of mandibular major connectors should
be gently rounded after being cast to eliminate a sharp edge.
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16. The borders of the major
connector should run parallel
to the gingival margins of the
remaining teeth.
Minor connectors that must cross
gingival tissue should do so
abruptly, joining the major
connector at nearly a right angle.
In this way, maximum freedom is
ensured for gingival tissue. 12/17/201
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17. Tori also should be avoided if
possible.
In the maxillary arch, a major
connector may cover a small torus
if its surgical removal is impossible
and if it cannot be avoided by
altering the design of the major
connector.
If a maxillary torus must be
covered, relief should be provided.
Avoiding a mandibular torus is
much more complicated. Therefore,
as a rule, mandibular tori should be
surgically removed.
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18. In the maxillary arch, because no moving tissue is present in
the palate as in the floor of the mouth, the borders of the major
connector may be placed well away from gingival tissue.
Structurally, the tissue covering the palate is well suited for
placement of the connector because of the presence of firm
submucosal connective tissue and an adequate, deep blood
supply.
However, when soft tissue covering the midline of the palate is
less displaceable than the tissue covering the residual ridge,
varying amounts of relief under the connectors must be
provided to avoid impingement of tissue.
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19. For the gingival tissue, it is recommended that the borders of
the palatal connector be placed a minimum of 6 mm away from
and parallel to the gingival margins.
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20. Margin should taper towards the tissues and should end
in the valleys of rugae
Except for a palatal torus or a prominent median palatal
suture area, palatal connectors ordinarily require no
relief.
Intimate contact between the connector and the
supporting tissue adds much to the support, stability, and
retention of the denture.
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21. Characteristics Of Major Connectors Contributing To
Health And Wellbeing
 1. Made from an alloy compatible with oral tissue
 2. Rigid and provide cross arch stability through the
principle of broad distribution of stress
 3. Do not interfere with and are not irritating to the tongue
 4. Do not substantially alter the natural contour of the
lingual surface of the mandibular alveolar ridge or of the
palatal vault 12/17/201
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22. 5. Do not impinge on oral tissue when the restoration
is placed, is removed, or rotates in function
6. Cover no more tissue than is absolutely necessary
7. Do not contribute to retention or trapping of food
particles
8. Have support from other elements of the framework
to minimize rotation tendencies in function
9. Contribute to the support of the prosthesis
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23. Maxillary Major Connector
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24. Maxillary Major Connector
 1. Palatal bar
 2. Palatal strap
 3. Anteroposterior palatal bar or double palatal bar
 4. Horseshoe shaped or U-shaped connector
 5. Anteroposterior palatal strap or closed horse
 6. Complete palate
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25. Palatal Bar
 It is a bar running across the palate which is narrow half
oval in cross-section with its thickest point in the center.
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26. For many years, the palatal bar was one of the most
widely used maxillary major connectors. Today, palatal
bar major connectors are used primarily in interim
applications.
Kennedy Class III limited to replacing one or two teeth
on each side of arch
Disadvantages
• Difficult for patient to get adjusted
• Little support from palate
• Should be no further anteriorly than second
premolar due to tongue interference12/17/201
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27. Palatal Strap
 The palatal strap is the most
versatile maxillary major
connector. The palatal strap
consists of a wide band of metal
with a thin cross-sectional
dimension
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28. Because of its minimal depth, this major connector
may be used to cross the palate in an unobtrusive
manner.
the anteroposterior dimension of a palatal strap
should not be less than 8 mm.
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29. Advantages of The Palatal strap
Because the palatal strap is located in two or more planes, it
offers great resistance to bending and twisting forces. This
theory is similar to the "L-beam" principle used in building
construction. Simply stated, forces transmitted on different
planes are counteracted more easily.
Inherently strong, it can be kept relatively thin. Since this
configuration offers little interference with normal tongue
action.
The increased tissue coverage helps distribute applied
stresses over a larger area.
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30. Disadvantages of the palatal strap
• In some instances, a patient may complain of
excessive palatal coverage.
• The increased soft tissue coverage associated with
papillary hyperplasia.
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31. Anteroposterior Palatal bar/
Double Palatal bar
 Displays characteristics of palatal bar and palatal strap
major connectors.
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32. • The anterior bar is relatively flat. Its cross-sectional shape
is similar to that of a palatal strap.
• Borders of the anterior bar are positioned on the
appropriate slopes of prominent rugae, thereby allowing it
to blend with the contours of the anterior palate
• Posterior bar is half oval.
• The strap and the bar are connected by two longitudinal
elements along the lateral slopes of palate giving a
circular configuration which provides rigidity.
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33. Indications :
• when anterior and posterior abutment teeth are
widely separated.
• cases with large inoperable palatal tori.
• patient who wants to avoid complete palatal
coverage.
• Class II and Class IV conditions.
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34. Advantages :
Rigid
Strong L-beam effect contributes to good
resistance
Limited soft tissue coverage.
Disadvantages :
Less palatal support
Not indicated with high narrow palatal vault
Uncomfortable with multiple borders,
provides interference to the tongue
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35. Horseshoe connector/
U-shaped connector
The horseshoe connector consists of a thin band of metal
running along the lingual surfaces of the remaining teeth
and extending on to the palatal tissues for 6 to 8 mm.
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36. The medial borders of this connector should be placed at
the junction of the horizontal and vertical slopes of the
palate. Rigidity can be increased by extending the borders
slightly onto the horizontal surfaces of the hard palate.
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37. Indications
• Anterior teeth replacement
• In patients with tori and prominent mid palatine suture.
• Need to stabilize anterior teeth
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38. Advantages of the horseshoe connector
• Reasonably strong
• Derives some vertical support and indirect retention from palate
Disadvantages of the horseshoe connector
• Less resistance to flexing and movement at open end- hence
cannot be used in distal extension
• Greater bulk in anterior part is required avoid flexing-
interference in phonetics and patient comfort12/17/201
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39. Closed horse/
anteroposterior palatal strap
 The anteroposterior palatal strap is a structurally rigid major
connector that may be used in most maxillary partial
denture applications
Two palatal straps- one anterior
and other posterior, connected
by flat longitudinal elements on
each side of lateral slope palate.
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40. This major connector is particularly indicated
when numerous teeth are to be replaced, or when a
palatine torus is present.
Advantages:
Rigid with less thickness
Good palatal support
Strong, L-beam effect
Disadvantages:
Interference with phonetics and patient comfort in
some case.
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41. Complete Palate
 The complete palate provides the ultimate rigidity and
support.
 It also provides the greatest amount of tissue coverage.
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42. The anterior border of a complete palate must be kept
6 mm from the marginal gingivae, or it must cover the
cingula of the anterior teeth.
The posterior border should extend to the junction of
the hard and soft palates.
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43. Indications :
• Kennedy’s class I condition where length of span is
long with anterior modification.
• In cases with flat, flabby ridges and shallow palatal
vaults where high stability is required.
• For patients with well developed muscles of
mastication or presence of all mandibular teeth.
• In cleft palate cases with a narrow steep palatal vault.
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44. Review of Indications for Maxillary Major Connectors
 If the periodontal support of the remaining teeth is
weak, more of the palate should be covered; thus a
wide palatal strap or a complete palate is indicated.
 If the remaining teeth have adequate periodontal
support and little additional support is needed, a palatal
strap or double palatal bar can be used.
 For long-span distal extension bases where rigidity is
critical, a closed horseshoe or complete palate is
indicated.
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45.  When anterior teeth must be replaced, a horse-shoe, closed
horseshoe, or complete palate may be used. The final
selection must be based on modifying factors such as
number and location of posterior teeth missing, support of
remaining teeth, and type of opposing occlusion.
 If a torus is present and is not to be removed, a horseshoe,
closed horseshoe, or antero-posterior palatal bar may be
used: which one to use depends on other factors.
 A single palatal bar is rarely indicated
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46. Mandibular Major
Connectors
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47. • In general, mandibular major connectors are long and
relatively narrow. Therefore, special consideration
must be given to the design of such connectors.
• Mandibular connectors must be rigid without being
so bulky that they compromise patient comfort.
Furthermore, mandibular major connectors must not
impinge upon the movable floor of the mouth, the
associated frena, or mandibular tori.
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48. 4 types of Mandibular Major Connectors
Lingual bar
Lingual plate
Double lingual bar
Labial bar
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49. Lingual bar
 The lingual bar is perhaps the most frequently used
mandibular major connector.
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50. The basic form of a mandibular major connector is a
half pear shape, located above moving tissue but as
far below the gingival tissue as possible. It is usually
made of reinforced, 6 gauge, half pear shaped wax or
a similar plastic pattern.
Placement of a lingual bar
requires at least 8 mm of
space between the gingival
margins and the floor of the
mouth. This permits the
major connector to have a
minimum height of 5 mm and
allows 3 mm of space
between the gingival margins
and the superior border of the
bar.
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51. A periodontal probe may
be used to measure from
the gingival margins to the
floor of the mouth.
The patient should be
instructed to elevate and
protrude the tongue so that
its tip touches the
vermilion border of the
upper lip.
Intraoral measurements
may be transferred to the
corresponding dental cast.
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52. The presence of mandibular tori complicates the
design, fabrication, and placement of lingual bar
major connectors. Surgical removal of mandibular
tori usually is required for successful removable
partial denture therapy.
Indicated in Kennedy’s Class III situation and its
modifications.
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53. Advantages:
• Simple, easy to design and fabricate
• Has no minimal contact with oral tissue
• No contact with teeth, so no decalcification of teeth.
Disadvantages:
• If extreme care is not taken in the design and
construction of a lingual bar, the resultant
framework may not be rigid.
• Cause food entrapment and patient discomfort if it
is placed over undercut
• Difficult to used when tori are present12/17/201
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54. Lingual Plate/ Linguoplate
 The structure of a lingual plate is basically that of a
half-pear-shaped lingual bar with a thin, solid piece of
metal extending from its superior border.
.
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55. The inferior border of a lingual plate should be
positioned as low in the floor of the mouth as possible,
but should not interfere with the functional movements
of the tongue and soft tissues.
A linguoplate should be
made as thin as is
technically feasible and
should be contoured to
follow the contours of the
teeth and the embrasures
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56. This thin projection of metal is
carried on to the lingual surfaces of
the teeth and presents a scalloped
appearance
A lingual plate may include "step
backs" to minimize or eliminate the
appearance of metal.
A lingual plate must be supported
by rests (arrows) located no farther
posterior than the mesial surface of
the first premolars.
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57. Indications:
When lingual frenum is high or space available for
lingual bar is insufficient
Kennedy Class I where residual ridges have
undergone excessive vertical resorption.
For stabilizing periodontally weak teeth.
When future replacement of one or more anterior
teeth is predicted.
Presence of inoperable mandibular tori.
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58. Advantages:
Most rigid and provides good support and stabilization.
Provides indirect retention with rest on premolars.
Disadvantages:
Extensive coverage of teeth may cause decalcification.
Soft tissue irritation
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59. Double Lingual Bar/
Kennedy bar
 A double lingual bar displays characteristics of both
lingual bar and lingual plate major connectors
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60. • It differs from lingual plate in the middle
portion is removed and the remaining is
superior and inferior bar.
• The lower bar is similar to a lingual bar, pear-
shaped in cross-section, 2-3mm high and 1mm
thick
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61. • Just like the lingual plate upper bar should dip
into the embrasures and if diastema is present, a
step-back design is used.
Indications
• When a lingual plate in otherwise indicated but
axial alignment of anterior teeth entails excessive
block out, eg crowding
• Periodontal disease resulting in large interproximal
embrasures
• Wide diastema in lower anteriors12/17/201
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62. Advantages:
Provides good indirect retention
Horizontal stabilization
As gingival tissues are not covered, marginal
gingival receives natural stimulation
Disadvantages:
More annoyance to tongue than lingual plate
Food entrapment and debris
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63. Labial Bar
 A labial bar runs across the mucosa on the facial
surface of the mandibular arch
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64. Like other mandibular major connectors, a labial
bar displays a half-pear shape when viewed in
cross section.
But, because of its placement on the external
curvature of the mandible, a labial bar is longer
than other mandibular major connector.
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65. The only justification for using a labial bar is the
presence of a gross uncorrectable interference that
makes the placement of a lingual major connector
impossible.
Interferences that commonly lead to the selection of a
labial bar are
(1) malposition or lingually inclined teeth and
(2) large mandibular tori that preclude the use of a
lingual bar or lingual plate.
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66. Advantages
When the remaining mandibular teeth are tipped so
far lingually that a more conventional major
connector cannot be used, a labial bar may be
considered.
Disadvantages
Unaesthetic
Fullness in lower lips
Patient discomfort
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67. A modification of the labial bar is the hinged
continuous labial bar.
This concept is incorporated in the Swing Lock*
design, which consists of a labial or buccal bar that is
connected to the major connector by a hinge at one
end and a latch at the other end.
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68. In this application, the labial component does not
serve as a major connector. Instead, the modified
labial bar has a hinge at one end and a locking
device at the opposite end. This permits an
opening and closing action similar to a gate.
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69. Review of indications for mandibular major connectors
 1. For a tooth-supported removable partial denture, the
lingual bar normally is the mandibular major connector of
choice.
 2. When there is insufficient room between the floor of the
mouth and the gingival margins (< 8 mm), a lingual plate
should be used. This major connector also is indicated for
patients with large inoperable tori and patients with high
lingual frenum attachments.
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70. 3. When the anterior teeth have reduced periodontal support
and require stabilization, a lingual plate is recommended.
4. When the anterior teeth exhibit reduced periodontal
support and large interproximal spaces, a modified lingual
plate (step-back design) or double lingual bar should be
used.
5. When a removable partial denture will replace all
mandibular posterior teeth, a lingual plate should be used.
6. A labial bar is rarely indicated.
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71. Various major connector designs that can be useful in the
successful construction of a removable partial denture, has
been discussed. Major connectors by uniting the other
components of a removable partial denture acts like a
foundation bringing about bilateral distribution of forces is
mainly dependent on the rigidity of the major connector used
in a particular situation. Utmost care must be taken to
prevent the Major connector from interfering with the
normal functions, as well as bringing about damaging effects
to the remaining oral structure.
Conclusion
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72. References
 McCracken’s removable partial prosthodontics – 12th edition
 Stewarts removable partial prosthodontics – 4th edition
 Connectors -J. C. Davenport, R.M.Basker, J. R. Heath, J. P. Ralph,
PO. Glantz, and P. Hammond (BDJ)
 Campbell L D. Subjective reactions to major connector designs for
removable partial dentures. J Prosthet Dent 1977.
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