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Multiple incisal rests should be connected
lingually by a plate of metal (Fig. 18.142b)
remember that when questioned about a parti-
cular rest, they should also explain about the
technique for preparing the corresponding rest
seat.
Direct Retainers
Definitions
Direct retainer A clasp or attachment applied to
an abutment tooth for the purpose of holding a
removable denture in position.
It is that component part of a removable partial
denture that is used to retain and prevent dislodge-
ment, consisting of a clasp assembly or precision
attachmentGPT
Retention Retention is that quality inherent in
the prosthesis which resists the force of gravity, the
adhesiveness of foods, and the forces associated with
the opening of the jaws GPT.
Direct retention Retention obtained in a removable
partial denture by the use of clasps or attachments
which resist removal from the abutment teeth -
GPT.
Indirect retention Retention obtained in a removable
partial denture through the use of indirect retainers
- GPT.
Classification
Direct retainers are broadly classified as:
Extracoronal direct retainers (Clasps):
Manufactured retainers (Dalbo)
Custom-made retainers:
Occlusally approaching (Circumferen-
tial or Akers clasp)
Gingivally approaching (Bar or
Roachs clasp)
Intracoronal direct retainers (Attachments):
Internal attachment
External attachment
Stud attachment
Bar attachment
Special attachments
Extracoronal Direct Retainers (Clasps)
An extracoronal direct retainer is defined as, A
part of a removable partial denture which acts as a
direct retainer and/or stabilizer for the denture by
Fig. 18.141: Facial extension of the incisal rest to provide
a lock for the rest
Fig. 18.142a: A shallow channel like preparation should be
prepared on the lingual surface of the abutment for the
placement of the minor connector
Fig. 18.142b: When multiple incisal rests are placed, each.
One is not individually connected to the major connector.
Instead they are interconnected with a metal plate which is
connected to the major connector
Indications: Full incisal rests may be given in the
following clinical conditions:
Tooth morphology does not permit other
designs.
When the incisal edge is completely lost, the
incisal rest can restore the lost contour.
When more stability is required.
Guidance is required for placement of the
restoration.
After designing the location and position of
the rests, the rest seats should be prepared. The
rest seats are prepared during prosthetic mouth
preparation phase (phase IV) prior to making
the secondary impression. The outcome of the
rest is totally dependent on the rest seat
preparation. The rest is fabricated along with
the framework.
The technique for the preparation of each rest
seat is described in detail in the next chapter
Prosthetic mouth preparation. Students should
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Fig. 18.144: According to Protheros Cone theory, the tooth
is considered as a pair of cones sharing one base. Hence
the height of contour of the tooth is considered as the base
of the cone and all retentive components of the denture
should cross the height of contour
partially encircling or contacting an abutment
tooth- GPT.
It is that component of the partial denture that
rests against the vertical enamel surfaces of an
abutment tooth and aids in bracing and retention.
General considerations A clasp should be
located at the undercut area in relation to the
determined path of insertion and removal of the
prosthesis (Fig. 18.143).
Component parts of a clasp (Fig. 18.145a)
The component parts of a clasp have been
described in detail here. These components may
be rigid or flexible. The flexible components are
designed below the height of contour so that they
provide retention when they engage the
undercut at the same time they can flex and pass
through the height of contour without requiring
much effort during insertion or removal.
Fig. 18.143: The clasp should cross the height of contour
and engage an undercut to provide retention
In a conventional clasp design, the tip of the
retentive arm is the only flexible component. All
the other parts are rigid and hence, placed above
the height of contour (widest circumference of
the tooth).
Retentive arm A flexible segment of a removable
partial denture which engages an undercut on an
abutment and which is designed to retain the
denture GPT.
It is that part of the clasp comprising of the
retentive clasp arm and retentive terminal. The
retentive clasp arm is not flexible and is located
above the height of contour. The retentive termi-
nal is flexible and lies below the height of contour
(Fig. 18.145b).
Height of contour is defined as A line encir-
cling a tooth designating its greatest circumference
at a selected positionGPT. Kennedy named the
greatest convexity of the tooth as the height of
contour. Cummer called it as the guideline that
helps in the placement of the components of the
clasp. DeVan named the surfaces sloping
superiorly as the suprabulge area and the
surfaces sloping inferiorly as the infrabulge area.
In 1916 Prothero proposed the Cone theory
to explain the basis for clasp retention. He
described the shape of the crown of premolars
and molars to be equivalent to two cones (upper
and lower) sharing a common base (Fig. 18.144).
The upper cone resembles the occlusal half of
the tooth and the lower cone resembles the
cervical half of the tooth. A clasp tip that ends
below the junction of the two cones will resist
movement in the upward direction, because it
has to deform (straighten out) to be released
across the junction of the bases of the two cones.
The degree of resistance to deformation
determines the amount of clasp retention.
Fig. 18.145a: (1) Retentive terminal (2) Retentive clasp arm
(3) Reciprocal arm (4) Occlusal rest (5) Shoulder (6) Body
(7) Minor connector
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Reciprocal arm A clasp arm or other extension
used on a removable partial denture to oppose the
action of some other part or parts of the prosthesis.
- GPT.
It is located on the side of the tooth opposite
to the retentive arm. It resists the lateral forces
exerted by the retentive arm when it passes
through the height of contour during the place-
ment and removal of the RPD (Fig. 18.146).
General functions of the reciprocal arm can
be enlisted as follows:
Provides stability and reciprocation
against the retentive arm.
The denture is stabilized against horizontal
movements.
Acts as an indirect retainer (prevents
rocking) to a minor degree.
Shoulder It is the part of the clasp that connects
the body to the clasp terminals. It lies above the
height of contour and provides stabilization
against horizontal displacement (Fig. 18.148).
Fig. 18.146: The reciprocal arm (RC)serves to counter act
the forces of the retentive arm (RT) and stabilize the abutment
Fig. 18.145b: The retentive terminal (the only flexible
component of the clasp) is the only component that crosses
the height of contour during insertion and removal
It is always placed in the supra-bulge area
(above the height of contour). It may act as an
indirect retainer when placed on an abutment
located anterior to the fulcrum line (axis of rota-
tion) of the partial denture. Thus, the rigid
reciprocal arm can resist the rocking of the den-
ture base (Fig. 18.147).
Fig. 18.147: In a secondary abutment anterior to the fulcrum
line (line of rotation of the denture during function) the
reciprocal arm functions as a indirect retainer by preventing
the lifting of a denture
Fig. 18.148: Shoulder of a clasp
Body Part of the clasp that connects the rests
and shoulders of the clasp to the minor
connectors. It is rigid and lies above the height
of contour (Fig. 18.149). The body of the clasp is
designed such that it contacts the guide plane
of the abutment during insertion and removal.
The tissue surface of the body of the clasp, which
is closely related to the guide planes, is known
as a proximal plate of the direct retainer.
Figs18.149a and b: (a) Proximal view of the body of the
clasp (b) Buccal view of the body of the clasp
Rest A rigid (stabilizing) extension of a removable
partial denture which contacts a remaining tooth or
teeth to dissipate vertical or horizontal forces- GPT.
It is the part of the clasp that lies on the
occlusal or lingual or incisal edge or surfaces of
the tooth. It resists tissueward movement of the
clasp by acting like a vertical stop (Fig. 18.150).
The preparation and structure was described in
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detail in the previous section. The rest also helps
to maintain the retentive arm of the clasp in
position.
Minor connector 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 - GPT.
Here, it joins the clasp with the remaining
part of the metal framework. In a gingivally
approaching clasp it is also known as the
approach arm (Fig. 18.151).
6. Primary abutment clasp of a distal
extension denture base should never exert
tipping forces on the abutment.
7. It is preferable to place the reciprocal ele-
ments at the height of contour and the
retentive element below the height of
contour.
Functional Requirements of a Clasp
The functional requirements of a clasp include
Retention
Stability
Support
Reciprocation
Encirclement
Passivity
Each of these functional requirements are
provided by various components in a clasp. The
clasp and its parts should be designed appro-
priately to achieve the functional requirements.
Retention Retention is that quality inherent in
the prosthesis which resists the force of gravity, the
adhesiveness of foods, and the forces associated with
the opening of the jaws - GPT.
Retention is the most important function of
the clasp; hence, it is the most important func-
tional requirement. The purpose of a clasp is lost
if the retention is lost. Retention is provided by
the retentive arm of the clasp. The tip of the
retentive arm (retentive terminal) should lie in
an undercut to the selected path of insertion.
The undercut used for retention is known as a
retentive undercut or preferred undercut.
This undercut should be identified during sur-
vey. If an undercut is absent it should be created
using any one of the four methods described
under surveying. The retentive arm should be
fabricated according to the following design
considerations.
Technical design considerations The following
factors should be remembered while designing
a retentive arm for a clasp:
The retentive arm of the clasp provides reten-
tion. The terminal third of the retentive arm
is flexible and it engages the undercut. Middle
third of the retentive arm has minimum
Principles of Clasp Design
The basic principle of clasp design is encirclement
i.e. to obtain more than 180 of continous contact
for Akers clasp and a minimum of 3-point
contact for Roach clasps. Other principles of
design include:
1. Occlusal rest should be designed to prevent
tissue-ward displacement of the denture.
2. Each retentive terminal should be opposed
by a reciprocal component.
3. Balanced retention should be present (i.e. if
a buccal retentive clasp is present on one
side, the same should be present in the
opposite side and vice-versa).
4. Path of escapement should never coincide
with the path of removal.
5. Only the minimum necessary amount of
retention should be used.
Fig. 18.150: An occlusal rest attached to the direct
retainer
Fig. 18.151: Approach arm of a Roach clasps
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The retentive terminal is forced to deform
when a vertical dislodging force is applied.
The retentive terminal exhibits a certain
amount of resistance to deformation. This
resistance is proportional to the flexibility of
the clasp arm. It is this resistance to deformation
that generates retention (Fig. 18.155). The
flexibility of the clasp varies with the type of
alloy being used (Discussed below).
Fig. 18.153: Location and extent of the undercuts may vary
according to the view angle. Similarly the location and extent
of the undercut will vary according to the path of insertion
Fig. 18.154: The retentive terminal should always be
located at the undercut
Fig. 18.155: During removal notice that the retentive terminal
at the undercut is forced to deform and cross the height of
contour. The resistance to deformation offered by the
retentive arm generates retention for the denture
Fig. 18.156: Path of displacement is any path of movement
of the clasp without resistance. Hence, there will be no height
of contour obstructing the movement of the retentive arm
along any path of displacement. If the path of insertion and
displacement of the denture are parallel to one another it
simply means that there is no retentive undercut present
along the path of insertion
Fig. 18.152: The proximal third of the retentive arm should
be placed above the height of contour. The middle third of
the retentive arm should be at the height of contour. Only
the terminal third is flexible and should be placed below the
height of contour to engage a undercut
flexibility. Proximal third is rigid and is
located above the height of contour. (Fig.
18.152).
The location and degree of a tooth undercut
available for retention is relative to the path
of insertion of the partial denture. Path of
Insertion is defined as The direction in which
a prosthesis is placed upon and removed from
the abutment teeth -GPT (Fig. 18.153).
A clasp has rigid and flexible components.
The rigid components of the clasp should be
placed in the non-retentive areas of the tooth
for a given path of insertion. This is because
they cannot deform to cross the height of
contour.
The clasp design for each abutment must be
separately considered. For a clasp to be reten-
tive, the retentive terminal must be placed in
the undercut area of the tooth (Fig. 18.154).
The retentive undercut will be present only
in relation to a given path of insertion. The
retentive undercut is absent in conditions
where the direction of dislodgement of the
clasp arm is similar to the direction along
which the clasp arm was inserted (Fig.
18.156). Hence it is important to maintain a
single path of insertion that does not coincide
with the path of displacement.
Retentive undercuts should be located with
the help of a surveyor. The cast should be
tilted in a surveyor to achieve a unique path
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Fig. 18.158: The distance between the height of contour
and the retentive terminal affects the length and flexibility of
the clasp
of insertion. The following factors should be
considered while determining the path of
insertion.
Tissue undercuts
Location of vertical minor connectors
Origin of bar clasp arm
The denture bases.
For a detailed discussion about path of
insertion refer surveying.
A good path of placement and removal is
obtained by the contact of the rigid parts of
the framework with the parallel surfaces of
the abutment. These parallel tooth surfaces
guide the denture during insertion and
removal and are called guiding planes. These
guiding planes that are prepared on the tooth
act as an additional retentive unit.
Guiding planes are defined as Two or
more vertically parallel surfaces of abutment teeth
so oriented as to direct the path of placement and
removal of partial dentures -GPT. Guiding
planes should be as parallel as possible to the
path of insertion of the denture. If they are
not parallel, trauma to the teeth and
supporting structures will occur during
insertion and removal of the denture. This
leads to periodontal breakdown of the
abutment teeth and strain to the parts of the
denture. In the absence of guiding planes, the
retention from the clasp will be meagre or
practically non-existent.
When the dislodging forces are not acting on
the denture, the retentive terminal should be
in a passive relationship with the tooth. If the
retentive arm is not passive, orthodontic
movement of the abutment will occur. This
is due to the continuous pressure exerted by
the clasps on the abutment teeth.
Factors Affecting Retention
Depth of the undercut
The deeper the undercut, the greater is the reten-
tion. A retentive undercut has three dimensions,
namely:
a. Buccolingual width of the undercut
b. Distance between the survey line and the tip
of the clasp arm (occlusogingival height)
Fig. 18.157: Based on the depth of the undercut, the type of
material for making the clasp is selected. Note: While
measuring the undercut, the periphery of the disc and the
shank of the undercut gauge should contact the tooth
c. Mesiodistal depth (gives the length of the
clasp arm below the height of contour).
a. Buccolingual width of the undercut: This dimen-
sion is the most important. It is measured
using an undercut gauge in thousands of an
inch. Clasp alloys are selected based on this
measurement (Fig. 18.157). Alloys with
greater flexibility (low modulus of elasticity)
are used against deeper undercuts.
For a 0.010-inch undercut - cast chrome
alloy is used.
For a 0.015-inch undercut - gold alloy is
used.
For a 0.020-inch undercut - wrought wire
is used.
b. The distance between the survey line and the tip
of the retentive clasp: This affects the length of
the clasp arm, which in turn affects the
flexibility of the clasp (Fig. 18.158).
c. The Mesiodistal length of the clasp arm below
the height of contour: Longer clasp arms offer
more flexibility. The flexibility of the clasp is
directly proportional to the cube of the length.
Increased flexibility decreases the magnitude
of the horizontal stresses acting on the
abutment (Fig. 18.159).
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Fig. 18.161: Half round clasp (flexes in a single direction)
Fig. 18.162: A bar clasp showing push type retention
Fig. 18.160: The retentive arm should taper such that it
reduces to half its width from the proximal to the terminal
end. To obtain a good functional taper, cobalt chromium
clasps should be atleast 15 mm long
d. Taper of the clasp arm: The clasp arm should
taper uniformly from its origin to the tip. The
dimension at the tip should be half of that in
the origin (Fig. 18.160).
Approach of the Clasp Arm
The gingivally approaching clasp arm has a
better retention as it pushes against the height
of contour during dislodgement (Fig. 18.162)
(Push type retention).
Fig. 18.159: For the same tooth, looping the retentive arm
in order to increase its length improves the flexibility
e. Cross-sectional form: A half round clasp arm
is flexible only in one plane (inward or
outward) whereas a round clasp, is flexible
in all planes. Round clasps are superior but
they are avoided due to difficulty in fabri-
cation. Half round clasps flex in one direction
(away from the tooth surface) (Fig. 18.161).
A cast retentive clasp arm is used mainly in
tooth supported partial dentures because they
need to flex only during placement and
removal of the denture.
In a Kennedys class I situation, the clasp has
to flex during functional movements also. It
should flex universally or disengage the tooth
when vertical forces are applied. A round clasp
is preferred in these conditions. Only a round
clasp can engage an undercut away from the
denture base.
Stability It is defined as, The quality of a denture
to be firm, steady, or constant, to resist displacement
by functional stresses, and not to be subject to change
of position when forces are applied - GPT.
All components of the clasp except the
retentive arm provide stability.
Cast circumferential clasps offer greater
stability because it has a rigid shoulder.
Wrought clasps have a flexible shoulder and
bar clasps do not have a shoulder; hence, they
offer lesser stability.
Support It is defined as, To hold up or serve as a
foundation or prop for - GPT.
It is the resistance to the movement of the
denture in a gingival direction (along the
path of insertion). (Whereas retention is the
resistance to the movement of the denture
against the path of insertion) (Fig. 18.163).
It is provided by occlusal, lingual and incisal
rests.
Reciprocation It is defined as, The means by
which one part of a prosthesis is made to counter
the effect created by another part- GPT
It is provided by a rigid reciprocal arm.
It resists the stresses generated by the retentive
arm. It also stabilizes the denture against
horizontal movement. In other words, it helps
to hold the tooth when the retentive arm is
active. If the reciprocal arm is absent there
will no resistance available for the action of
the retentive arm (Fig. 18.164).
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Fig. 18.165: 180encirclement provided by the retentive
arm (RT) rest (RS) and reciprocal arm (RC)
Fig. 18.163d: Support is provided by rests which act as
vertical stops
It should be placed preferably at the junction
of the gingival and middle thirds of the
abutment tooth (always above or at the height
of contour).
It should contact the abutment tooth along
with or before the retentive arm during inser-
tion and removal.
Other parts which offer reciprocation are:
Lingual plate major connector.
An additional occlusal rest placed on the
opposite side of the tooth alongwith the
minor connector.
Encirclement It is the property of the clasp
assembly to encompass more than 180

of the
abutment tooth either by continuous or broken
contact to prevent dislodgement during function
Each clasp must encircle more the 180

of the
abutment

tooth. Encirclement can be either a
continuous contact as in circumfrential clasp or
a broken contact as in bar clasp with at least 3
different areas of contact (Fig. 18.165). The three
points of contact are:
Retentive terminal
Occlusal rest
Reciprocal arm
This embracement prevents the clasp assem-
bly from moving out of the confines of the tooth
during function.
Fig. 18.164: Reciprocation is essential to stabilize the
tooth against the deleterious effects of the retentive arm
Figs 18.163a and b: Retention is the resistance to
movement of the denture against the path of insertion
Fig. 18.163c: Support is the resistance to movement of
the denture towards the path of insertion
Passivity It is defined as The quality or condition
of inactivity or rest assumed by the teeth, tissues,
and denture when a removable partial denture is in
place but not under masticatory pressure GPT.
The retentive function should act only when
dislodging forces are present. If the clasp is not
seated properly, the retentive forces act conti-
nuously on the tooth leading to pain and tender-
ness.
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Types of clasps
The types of clasps are:
Circumferential or Akers clasps
Vertical projection or Bar or Roach clasps
Continuous clasp
Cast circumferential clasp: A clasp that
encircles a tooth by more than 180 degrees, including
opposite angles, and which usually has total contact
with the tooth (throughout the extent of the clasp),
with atleast one terminal being in the infrabulge
(gingival convergence) area - GPT.
Vertical projection clasp / Bar clasp / Roach clasp:
A clasp having arms which are bar type extensions
from major connectors or from within the denture
base; the arms pass adjacent to the soft tissues and
approach the point or area of contact on the tooth in
a gingivo-occlusal direction - GPT.
Continuous clasp: A metal bar usually resting
on the lingual surface of teeth to aid in their
stabilization and to act as an indirect retainer-GPT.
Cast Circumferential Clasp
They are popularly known as Akers clasps.
These clasps embrace more than half of the
abutment tooth. They may show a continuous
or a limited three-point contact with the tooth.
This architecture helps the clasp to hold the
abutment firmly enough to prevent the rotation
of the denture. They approach the undercut
from an occlusal direction.
Advantages:
Easiest clasp to make and repair.
Less food retention
Best when applied in a tooth supported
partial denture.
Derives excellent support, bracing and
retention.
Disadvantages:
It covers a large tooth surface area. It also
alters the Buccolingual width of the crown
(Fig. 18.166).This affects the normal food flow
pattern leading to food accumulation. This
causes decalcification of the tooth structure.
Damage to soft tissue will occur due to lack
of physiological stimulation.
Difficult to adjust with pliers because of its
half-round configuration.
Fig. 18.166: Notice that a cast circumferential clasp alters
the width of the tooth and hence the occlusal table
Fig. 18.167: An occlusally approaching Akers clasp should
never be used to engage the mesiobuccal undercut of a
primary abutment in a distal extension denture base
Fig. 18.168: Simple circlet clasp
If these clasps are placed high (more
occlusally) on the tooth, the width of the food
table increases leading to generation of
greater occlusal forces.
All cast circumferential clasps should never
be used to engage the mesiobuccal undercut
of an abutment adjacent to the distal
edentulous space (Fig. 18.167). Hence, they
cannot be used for cases with an undercut
away from the edentulous space.
Types of Cast Circumferential Clasps
Cast circumferential clasps can be of 11 different
types. They are:
1. Simple circlet clasp (Fig. 18.168)
Most versatile and widely used.
Best for tooth supported Partial dentures.
It approaches the undercut from the eden-
tulous space.
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Fig. 18.170: Multiple circlet clasp
Fig. 18.171b: Pontic clasp
It engages the undercut, located away from
the edentulous space.
Clasp can be adjusted only in one direction
(i.e. buccolingually but not occlusogingivally).
They cannot be used for distal extension cases
as they engage a mesio buccal undercut.
2. Reverse, circlet or reverse approach clasp
(Fig. 18.169)
This clasp is used when the retentive undercut
on the abutment tooth is located adjacent to
the edentulous space.
Consider a distal edentulous condition.
Usually the clasp will arise from the distal
surface of the abutment to reach the mesial
undercut. But this clasp is designed in such a
way that the clasp arises from the mesial side
and ends on the distal undercut.
Usually Bar clasps are preferred for distal
extension cases. These clasps are used when
a bar clasp is contraindicated. E.g.
If there is an undercut area in the ridge
Presence of a soft tissue undercut caused
by buccoversion of the abutment tooth.
These clasps are used in distal extension den-
ture base to control the stresses acting on the
terminal abutment teeth on the edentulous
side.
Disadvantages:
If sufficient occlusal clearance is not present,
the thickness of the clasp has to be reduced.
This will affect the strength of the clasp.
The occlusal rest away from the edentulous
space does not protect the marginal ridge of
the abutment tooth adjacent to the
edentulous space. Hence, an additional rest
must be placed to provide the necessary
protection.
Poor aesthetics as the clasp runs from the
mesial to the distal end of the facial surface.
Wedging may occur between the abutment
and its adjacent tooth if the occlusal rest is
not well prepared.
Fig. 18.169: Reverse circlet clasp
3. Multiple circlet clasp (Fig. 18.170)
It is a combination of two simple circlet clasps
joined at the terminal end of the reciprocal arms.
It is used for sharing the retention with addi-
tional teeth on the same side of the arch when
the principal abutment tooth has poor perio-
dontal support.
It is a mode of splinting weakened teeth.
Its disadvantages are similar to that of simple
and reverse circlet clasps.
4. Embrasure clasp or modified crib clasp
(Fig. 18.171a)
It is a combination of two simple circlet clasps
joined at the body.
It is used on the side of the arch where there
is no edentulous space.
The clasp crosses the marginal ridges of two
teeth to form the double occlusal rest. The
clasp emerges on the facial surface and splits
into two retentive arms. Each retentive arm
engages the undercut located on the opposite
side of the tooth.
Interproximal tooth structure should be remo-
ved to provide sufficient thickness of the
metal. The clasp may break if the metal is too
thin.
Fig. 18.171a: Embrasure clasp
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Fig. 18.172: Ring clasp
Fig. 18.173: Auxiliary bracing arm to reinforce
the ring clasp
Fig. 18.174: Hairpin clasp
Fig. 18.175: Onlay clasp
Indications: It is used in Kennedys class II
and class III cases without any modifications.
Occasionally, a very small edentulous space
can be closed by a modified embrasure clasp
called pontic clasp (Fig. 18.171b).
5. Ring clasp (Fig. 18.172)
Consider a distal edentulous condition with
a distolingual undercut where a reverse circlet
clasp cannot be placed (no buccal undercut).
In such cases, the retentive arm is extended
all around the tooth from the distobuccal end
to termiante in the distolingual undercut
across the mesial side of the tooth.
It is used in cases with lingually tipped molar
abutments. Mandibular molars usually tip
mesiolingually and the maxillary molars tip
mesiobuccally. Hence, the retentive undercut
will be on the mesiolingual side for the lower
molar and mesiobuccal side for the upper
molar.
As the clasp is long, additional support
should be provided by adding an auxiliary
bracing arm from the denture base minor
connector to the center of the ring clasp on
the buccal surface. (Fig. 18.173).
Disadvantages:
Alteration in the food flow pattern.
It cannot retain its physical qualities.
Difficult to adjust or repair.
Increased tooth surface coverage.
Contraindications:
If the buccinators attachment lies close to the
lower molar.
If the bracing arm will have to cross a soft
tissue undercut.
6. Fishhook or hairpin clasp or reverse action
clasp (Fig. 18.174)
It is a type of simple circlet clasp, which after
crossing the facial surface of the tooth loops
back to engage the proximal undercut
beneath its point of origin. It is used in
conditions where the undercut is near the
edentulous space.
Upper arm is rigid and the lower arm is
flexible. The upper arm should be positioned
above the height of contour in such a way
that it does not interfere with occlusion.
Indications:
The undercut is adjacent to edentulous area.
Presence of a soft tissue undercut.
Disadvantages:
It has poor aesthetics.
It tends to trap and accumulate food debris.
7. Onlay clasp (Fig. 18.175)
It is an extension of a metal crown or onlay
with buccal and lingual clasp arms.
It is used in the occlusal surfaces of submerged
abutment teeth (that are below the occlusal
plane) so that the normal occlusal plane can
be restored with an onlay.
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Figs 18.177a and b: Half and half clasp: (a) occlusal view,
(b) proximal view
Fig. 18.178a: Back action clasp
If the onlay clasp is made of chrome alloy,
the opposing tooth should be protected with
a gold crown. Because the chrome alloy can
produce massive attrition of enamel.
As this clasp covers large amount of tooth
structure, it may lead to breakdown of enamel
surfaces. Hence, it should be used only in a
caries resistant mouth.
8. Combination clasp (Fig. 18.176)
A cast circumferential clasp cannot be used
when an undercut is adjacent to the edentu-
lous space, as it will produce destructive
rotatory forces on the distal abutment.
In such cases, a flexible wrought wire
retentive arm is used to replace the rigid cast
alloy retentive arm. These clasps are called
combination clasps as they combine the two.
As it has a greater flexibility it can be placed
in a deeper undercut without any hazard to
the abutment.
Fig. 18.176: Combination clasp
It is used in maxillary canines and premolars
due to its superior aesthetics.
Advantages:
The round configuration of the wrought wire
gives two advantages
It has a thin line contact, which collects less
debris and is easy to maintain.
It can flex in all planes.
Disadvantages:
Tedious lab procedures.
Easily breaks or distorts.
Poor stability.
9. Half and half clasp (Fig. 18.177)
It has a retentive arm arising from one direc-
tion and a reciprocal arm arising from
another.
Two minor connectors are needed for this
design. The first minor connector attaches the
occlusal rest and the retentive arm to the
major connector. The second minor connector
connects the reciprocal arm, which is similar
to the bar clasp with or without an auxiliary
rest.
This design produces large tooth coverage,
which can be reduced by converting the reci-
procal arm into a short bar with an auxiliary
occlusal rest.
This design is intended to provide dual reten-
tion.
10. Back-action clasp (Fig. 18.178a)
It is a modification of the ring clasp.
Here the minor connector is connected to the
end of the clasp arm and the occlusal rest is
left unsupported.
Disadvantages:
Lack of support to the occlusal rest reduces
its function.
It has both biological and mechanical
unsound principles.
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Approach Arm (Fig. 18.179)
It is a minor connector that connects the retentive
tip to the denture base minor connector. It is semi
circular in cross section and should cross the
gingival margin at a right angle. The approach
should closely adapt over the soft tissues and
cannot be fabricated over soft tissue undercuts.
This is the only flexible minor connector designed
in a RPD.
Retentive terminal (Fig. 18.180)
It varies for each type of bar clasp. It should end
on the surface of the tooth below the undercut.
It can be paired or singular. The terminal, which
enters the undercut, is called retentive finger and
the other terminal is called the non-retentive finger.
It helps to give a push type retentive force.
Fig. 18.178b: Grassos clasp or vertical reciprocal
horizontal retentive (VRHR) clasp
Fig. 18.179: Approach arm
Fig. 18.180: Retentive finger that engages an undercut
Advantages of bar clasps
It is easy to insert and difficult to remove.
It is more aesthetic, as it covers less tooth
structure.
Disadvantages of bar clasps
It tends to collect food debris.
It has increased flexibility but reduced bracing
and stabilization.
Additional stabilizing units are needed.
11. Grassos clasp or VRHR clasp
(Fig. 18.178b)
Developed by Grasso, this clasp consists of a
vertical reciprocal arm, an occlusal rest and a
horizontal retentive arm each arising separately
from the major connector. It is more of a
proposed concept.
Advantages:
Minimizes tooth contact without compromise
in efficacy.
Does not require the preparation of guide
planes.
Suitable for posterior teeth with high survey
lines.
The placement of the retentive arm is more
aesthetic.
The balance between the retentive and reci-
procal components prevents the whiplash
effect of the retentive arm.
Disadvantages:
Difficult to maintain as the block out zone
between the base of the reciprocal arm and
the tooth tends to collect food debris.
Vertical Projection or Roach or Bar Clasp
These clasps approach the undercut gingivally.
It has a push type of retention, which is more
effective than the pull type retention provided
by the circumferential clasp.
Parts of a Bar Clasp
Only the retentive arm of a bar clasp varies from
that of a cast circumferential clasp. All other
components like the rest, shoulder, body, proxi-
mal plate and the reciprocal arm are similar to
the ones present in a cast circumferential clasp.
The retentive arm in a bar clasp comprises
for two parts namely the gingival approach arm
and the retentive tip.
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Fig. 18.182: T clasp
Fig. 18.183: Modified T clasp
Can also be used for a tooth supported partial
denture with natural undercuts. Since the
clasp is designed to use the existing undercuts
without creating new ones, it is referred to
as clasping for convenience.
It should not be used on a terminal abutment
tooth if undercut is located away from eden-
tulous space.
Should not be used over a soft tissue undercut
The clasp has good aesthetics but due to the
flexibility of approach arm it lacks the bracing
quality.
Modified T clasp (Fig. 18.183)
It is similar to T clasp but the non-retentive
finger (usually the mesial terminal) of the T
terminal is removed.
It is used in canines and premolar for better
aesthetics.
Design considerations
Approach arm should not impinge as it
crosses the soft tissue.
No relief is given so the tissue surface of the
approach arm should be smooth and
polished.
Approach arm should cross the gingival
margin at a 90 angle (Fig. 18.181).
It is used if the favourable undercut is present
near the edentulous area.
The approach arm is a minor connector
arising from the denture base. It arises from
the edentulous area near the undercut. It runs
vertically upwards to the height of contour
of the abutment where it splits into its
terminal ends.
The tip of the retentive terminal should
always point to the occlusal surface.
The bar clasp should be placed as low as
possible on the tooth.
Types of Bar Clasps
Bar clasps have been classified based on the
shape of the retentive terminal. Each type is
described in detail below.
T clasp (Fig. 18.182)
Used in a distal extension denture base with
a distobuccal undercut
Fig. 18.181: The approach arm should cross the free
gingival margin at a right angle
Disadvantages
It does not have 180 encirclement.
Y clasp (Fig. 18.184)
Y clasp is basically a T clasp modified to suit
certain abutments where height of contour is
high at faciomesial and faciodistal line angles
but low at the center of the facial surface.
I clasp (Fig. 18.185)
Used on distobuccal surface of canines for
aesthetics.
Only the tip of the clasp (2-3 mm) contacts
the tooth. Hence, stability and encirclement
is decreased.
Infrabulge clasp or mirror view clasp:
by MM DeVan (Fig. 18.186)
The approach arm for the retentive terminal
arises from the border of the denture base,
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Advantages:
More aesthetic as it is placed more inter-
proximally.
Increased retention without any tipping
action on the abutment.
Resists distortion during handling.
I-bar
It is a modified I type roach clasp introduced by
Kratochvil. It has a mesial rest arising from a
major connector, an I-bar retentive arm and a
long proximal plate.
It is designed to reduce tooth contact. A
detailed explanation about the design of an I-
bar partial denture is described in chapter 22.
Krol in 1973, modified kratochvils I-bar system
and introduced the RPI and RPA systems, both
of which have been described in chapter 22.
Intracoronal Direct Retainers (Attachments)
Intracoronal direct retainers are called so because
a part or the whole of the retentive components
are located within the anatomical contour of the
abutment teeth. They are of the following types:
Internal attachment
External attachment
Stud attachment
Bar attachment
Special attachments
Generally all attachments have male and
female components that are manufactured using
standard measurements. They are not custom
fabricated like a direct retainer. Hence, the only
design consideration for an attachment is pre-
paring the tooth to place the female component
of the retainer.
Internal Attachment
It is also known as precision attachment or
frictional attachment or key and keyway
attachment or parallel attachment or slotted
attachment.
Fig. 18.185: I clasp
Fig. 18.186: Mirror view clasp. Note: the lingual surface of
the abutment is plated
Fig. 18.187: A half cut made to increase the flexibility of
the approach arm
either as an extension of a cast base or
attached to the border of a resin base.
There are two occlusal rests on each abutment
tooth.
The lingual aspect of the abutment may be
plated (supported) or left open.
It is more flexible because the portion of the
metal base that gives rise to the approach arm
has an incomplete cut. The cut is prepared
either by machining or placing a thin matrix
band during casting (Fig. 18.187).
The retentive arm can also be made of
wrought wire, which has higher flexibility.
The wire may be soldered to the metal base
or embedded in the resin base.
Fig. 18.184: Y clasp
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Definition: A retainer, used in removable partial
denture construction, consisting of a metal receptacle
and a closely fitting part: the former is usually con-
tained within the normal or expanded contours of
the crown of the abutment tooth and the latter is
attached to a pontic or the denture frame work -
GPT.
A retainer consisting of a metal receptacle
(matrix) and a closely fitting part (patrix). The
matrix is usually contained within the normal or
expanded contours of the crown on the abutment
tooth and the patrix is attached to a pontic or a
removable partial denture.
The patrix engages the vertical walls built into
the crown of the abutment tooth to create fric-
tional resistance during removal (Fig. 18.188).
Dr Herman ES Chayes first formulated this
principle in 1906.
Some of the commonly used internal attach-
ments are:
Ney-Chayes attachment.
Stern Goldsmith attachment.
Baker attachment.
Advantages:
Elimination of visible retentive components.
Elimination of visible vertical support element
through a rest seat.
Provides some horizontal stabilization.
Stimulation of underlying tissues due to
intermittent vertical massage.
Disadvantages:
Preparation of abutments and castings.
Complicated clinical and lab procedures.
Wear resulting in loss of frictional resistance.
Difficult to repair and replace.
Least effective in teeth with small crowns.
Difficulty to place it completely within the
circumference of the abutment tooth.
Contraindications:
Large pulp (this limits the depth of the
receptacle.)
Fig. 18.188: Matrix (M) and Patrix
(P) of a intracoronal retainer
Table 18.1: Differences between circumferential and bar clasps
Circumferential clasp Bar clasp
It approaches the undercut from the occlusal aspect It approaches the undercut from the gingival aspect
of the abutment. of the abutment.
It arises above the height of contour of the abutment. It arises below the height of contour of the abutment.
It has a rigid minor connector. It has a flexible minor connector. The minor connector for
the bar clasp is called approach arm.
It is easier to remove. This is because only the retentive It is easier to seat but difficult to remove because the minor
terminal should flex to be relieved from the undercut. connector should flex alongwith the retentive arm to be
relieved from the undercut.
It has a pull type retention. That is the retentive tip It has a push type retention. That is the retentive tip
should pull occlusally to engage the undercut. should push occlusally to engage the undercut.
Due to continuous tooth contact, it has a good Due to limited 3-point tooth contact, it has less bracing effect.
bracing effect.
It is less aesthetic, due to more metal exposure. More aesthetic as it is present below the height of contour.
It has reduced food debris accumulation as it adapts Increased food debris accumulation, because a space exists
more closely to the tooth. between the minor connector and the abutment surface
and the length of the clasp assembly is more.
Easy to repair due to its simple design. Difficult to repair as the design is more complex.
It increases the width of the occlusal table because the No such problem as it is placed in a lower position.
retentive arm arises near the occlusal surface of the
abutment. It increases the occlusal load on the abutment.
Due to increased tooth coverage it may cause No decalcification due to limited 3-point contact.
decalcification.
It can be used in tilted abutments and in cases It cannot be used in cases with tilted abutment and
with soft tissue undercuts. soft tissue undercuts.
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