REMOVABLE PARTIAL
DENTUTRE
CONTENT
• INTRODUCTION
• DEFINATION
• TERMINOLOGIES
• INDICATIONS
• CLASSIFICATION
• FUNDAMENTALS OF
DESIGN CONSIDERATION
• PARTS OF RPD
• CONCLUSION
• DEFINITION
• “ the branch of prosthodontics concerened with the
replacement of teeth & contiguous structure for edentulous or
partially edentulous patient by artificial substitutes that are
readily removable from the mouth” – GPT-9
• It includes two branches :-
• removable complete denture prosthodontics and removable
partial denture prosthodontics
• A RPD may be extracoronal or intra-coronal depending on
what type of retention is used to keep it in the mouth
• REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURE
• “ it is defined as any prosthesis that replaces some teeth in a partially dentate arch.
• It can be removed from the mouth and replaced at will- also called as partial removable denture
(GPT-9)
• There are two types:
• acrylic partial denture
• Cast partial denture
TERMINOLOGIES
• Tooth supported RPD
• A partial denture receives support from
natural teeth at each end of the edentulous
space or spaces
• Eh:- Kennedy’s class III
• Tooth – Tissue supported RPD
• The denture base that extends anteriorly or
posteriorly & is supported by teeth at one
end & tissue on the orther end
• Distal Extendion Denture Base
• The denture base that extend posteriorly
without posterior support
• From natural teeth
• They are tooth tissue supported partial dentures
• INDICATION FOR RPD
• Length of edentulous span
• Age
• Abutment tooth
• Periodontal support of remaining natural teeth
• Excessive bone loss
• Esthetics
• Immediate teeth replacement after extraction
• Old patient
• Patient desires
CLASSIFICATION
1. Allow visualization of the type of partially edentulous arch being
considered
2. Permit differentiation between tooth-supported and tooth-tissue–
supported partial dentures
3. Serve as a guide to the type of design to be used
4. Be universally accepted
• Kennedy Classification System
• The Kennedy Classification System is composed of four major categories, denoted Class I
through Class IV.
• The numeric sequence of the classification system was based partly on the frequency of
occurrence, with Class I arches being most common and Class IV arches least common.
• Kennedy Class I arch: Characterized by bilateral
edentulous areas located posterior to the remaining
natural teeth
• Kennedy Class II arch: Displays a unilateral
edentulous area located posterior to the remaining
natural teeth
• Kennedy Class III arch: Presents a unilateral
edentulous area with natural teeth both anterior and
posterior to it
• Kennedy Class IV arch: Displays a single, bilateral
edentulous area located anterior to the remaining natural
teeth. It is important to note that the edentulous space
must cross the dental midline
• Modification spaces
• Each Kennedy classification, except Class
I, refers to a single edentulous area
• Kennedy referred to each additional
edentulous area— not each additional
missing tooth—as a modification space
• Dr Kennedy included the number of
modification areas in the classification (eg,
Class I, Modification 1; Class II,
Modification 3).
Applegate’s rules for classification
• 1. Classification should follow rather than precede extractions that might alter the
original classification
• 2. If the third molar is missing and not to be replaced, it is not considered in the
classification
• 3. If a third molar is present and is to be used as an abutment, it is considered in the
classification
• 4. If a second molar is missing and is not to be replaced (that is, the opposing second
molar is also missing and is not to be replaced), it is not considered in the
classification
• 5. The most posterior edentulous area(s) always determines the
classification.
• 6. Edentulous areas other than those determining the classification are
referred to as modification spaces and are designated by their number.
• 7. The extent of the modification is not considered, only the number of
additional edentulous areas.
• 8. There can be no modification areas in Class IV arches. Any edentulous
area lying posterior to the single bilateral area determines the classification .
Fundamental Design Considerations
• Support for removable partial dentures may be derived from the remaining teeth, the hard and soft
tissues of the residual ridge, or both.
• Teeth are connected to the surrounding bone via thin periodontal ligaments. Under function, healthy
teeth may be displaced as much as 0.2 mm. In contrast, soft tissues overlying residual bone generally
may be displaced 1.0 mm or more
• As a result, there may be a significant difference in the support provided by the teeth and the tissues of
the residual ridge. It is important to understand this difference when designing removable partial
prostheses.
• CLASS I REMOVABLE PARTIAL
DENTURES
• Class I removable partial dentures exhibit bilateral extension bases,
they must derive support from the remaining teeth and residual ridges
• To preserve the remaining teeth and residual ridges, removable partial
dentures must provide an equitable distribution of forces.
• Concentration of forces upon the remaining teeth may produce rapid
destruction of the periodontal tissues and potential abutment loss.
• The following features must be included in the design of Class I
removable partial dentures:
• provision of optimum support for the distal extension denture bases,
incorporation of flexible direct retention, and provision of indirect
retention.
• Optimum support for distal extension
denture bases.
• All portions of a residual ridge that are capable of
providing support should be covered by an accurately
fitting denture base. Broad coverage permits a
favorable distribution of stresses, often described as a
snowshoe effect
• Inadequate soft tissue coverage can lead to stress
concentration, breakdown of underlying bone, and a
decrease in ridge volume. Adequate support of a
distal extension base is often so critical that a second
impression of the residual ridge is required.
FLEXIBLE DIRECT RETENTION
• The soft tissues are displaceable and allow vertical
movement of the denture bases upon loading
• Vertical displacement of the denture bases may result in
the application of stresses to the most posterior abutments.
Improperly designed direct retainers may magnify these
• The resultant “rocking” forces may damage the associated
periodontal tissues and produce mobility of the abutment
teeth.
INDIRECT RETENTION
• In some instances, sticky foods may lift
denture bases away from the supporting
tissues.
• This displacement produces rotation of the
removable partial denture around the most
posterior abutment
• Rotation must be controlled to prevent
damage to the remaining teeth and oral
tissues.
• To accomplish this objective, auxiliary rests
should be placed as far as practical from the
fulcrum line.
• CLASS II REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES
• A Class II removable partial denture must embody
features of both Class I and Class III designs .
• The unilateral distal extension side must be designed
as a Class I removable partial denture, whereas the
tooth-supported side must be designed as a Class III
removablepartial denture.
• The prosthesis must include a well-adapted denture
base, properly designed direct retention, and
appropriately positioned indirect retention
CLASS III REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES
There are a few things that should be kept in mind when
designing a Class III removable partial denture. First,
support should be provided entirely by the abutment
teeth.
Due to the favorable distribution of abutments, Class III
removable partial dentures often function like fixed
prostheses.
Residual ridges should be used for support only when
edentulous spans are long or abutments display
decreased periodontal support.
MAXILLARY MAJOR CONNECTORS
• Single palatal strap ( bilateral short span edentulous spaces)
• Single palatal bar ( interim partial dentures)
• Anterior posterior palatal strap
• Complete palatl plate ( distal extension condition, cleft palate , heavy
occlusal forces)
U shaped ( inoperable tori, least suitable design)
MINOR CONNECTORS
• Base other components
• (clasps , rests, indirect retainers)
• FUNCTIONS:
• Transfers functional stresses to abutment teeth
• Maintain a path of insertion
REST AND REST SEAT
• Provides vertical support
• Transfers the forces along the long axis of teeth
• Positional maintenance
• Rest seat
• Prepared surface on nthe abutment teeth to recive the
rest
• Types
• Occlusal
• Incisal
• cingulum
DIRECT RETAINERS
• Component of RPD that function to retain and prevent the
dislodgement of the denture
TYPES OF CLASP
INDIRECT RETAINERS
• Stabilization
• Prevents the rotational displacement of rpd
• Functions through lever action on opposite side of the
fulcrum line
FULCRUM LINE
• An imaginary line around which the denture tends to rotate
DENTURE BASE
• Support, retention, stress distribution, esthetics
• Maxillary denture base ----------- Maxillary tuberosity area
• Mandibular denture base -------------- Retromolar pad
ARTIFICIAL TEETH
• Types of artificial teeth
• Acrylic
• Porcelain
• Metal
• Tube teeth
