INDIRECT

RETAINERS
 CONTENT

DEFINITION
FUNCTIONS
FULCRUM LINES
MODE OF ACTION OF INDIRECT
RETAINERS
FACTORS AFFECTING
EFFECTIVENESS OF INDIRECT
RETAINER
TYPES OF INDIRECT RETAINERS.
 DEFINITION

The component of partial

removable dental prosthesis that
assist the direct retainers in
preventing displacement of the
distal extension denture base by
functioning through lever action on
the opposite side of the fulcrum
line when the denture base moves
away from the tissues in pure
rotation around the fulcrum line.
Glossary of Prosthodontic
Terms.
 FUNCTIONS

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS
It shifts the fulcrum line away from
the point of application of the
force, thereby counteracting the
lifting force and stabilizing the
denture.
 AUXILLARY FUNCTIONS.
Reduces the antero- posterior
tilting leverages on principal
abutments.
Helps in stabilization.
Act as an auxillary guide plane.
May provide the first indication to
reline an extension base partial
denture.
 FULCRUM LINES

An imaginary line around which the

denture tends to rotate . ( GPT )
A fulcrum line passes through
terminal abutments.
TYPES : -
Retentive fulcrum lines : An
imaginary line connecting retentive
points of clasp arm , around which
the denture tends to rotate when
subjected to forces such as pull of
sticky foods.
Stabilizing fulcrum line : An
imaginary line connecting
occlusal rest , around which the
denture tends to rotate when
subjected to masticatory forces.
 TYPES OF FULCRUM LINES :
Class I :- Fulcrum line passes
through most posterior abutments
.

Class II:- Fulcrum line passes

through most posterior teeth on
one side and abutment on distal
extension side.
Class III :- Fulcrum line passes
through two principal abutments

Class IV :- Fulcrum line passes

through two abutments adjacent to
the edentulous spaces .
 PRINCIPLES USING
INDIRECT
RETAINERS
More than one fulcrum line may be
present.
Indirect retainers must be placed
as far as possible from distal
extension base , for better
leverage advantage.
Most effective location for indirect
retainers is incisor region , but due
to their poor strength canines or
premolars are used .
Whenever possible two indirect
retainers , closer to the fulcrum
line are taken to compensate for
the compromise in distance.
 FACTORS AFFECTING
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
INDIRECT RETAINER
Effectiveness of direct
retainers :-In order to become
indirect retainer effective proper
functioning of direct retainer
should be present i.e., the
retentive arm of direct retainer
must hold .the principal occlusal
rest properly.

.
Distance from the fulcrum
line :-
Length of the distal extension base
if increases indirect retainers must be
placed far away from the fulcrum line.
Location of the fulcrum line , ideally
indirect retainers should be located at
a point perpendicular to the midpoint
of fulcrum line.
Distance from the fulcrum line ,
Indirect retainer is placed as far as
away from the fulcrum line.
 Rigidity of the connectors
supporting the Indirect
retainer.
Effectiveness of the
supporting tooth surface :-
Must be placed on a definitive
rest seat to prevent slippage .
Tooth inclines and weak tooth
never to be used.
TYPES OF INDIRECT
RETAINERS
Auxillary occlusal rest
Canine rests
Canine extensions from
occlusal rests.
Modification areas.
Rugae support.
 AUXILLARY OCCLUSAL
RESTS.

Most frequently used.

Located on the occlusal surface far
away from distal extension denture
base .
Ideal location is central incisors ,
which is weak ,therefore bilateral
rests on first premolar are
effective.
Rests on premolars , do not
interfere with tongue movements.
 CANINE RESTS
Also known as cingulum rests or
lingual rests.
Used when mesial marginal ridge
of the 1st premolar is too close to
the fulcrum line.
When the teeth is lapped to render
the fulcrum line inaccessible.
The rest can be more effective by
placing the minor connector more
anterior to canine.
 CANINE EXTENSION
FROM THE OCCLUSAL
REST
Consist of a finger extension from
premolar rest to lingual slope of
adjacent canine.
Applied when first premolar is the
first abutment.
Should always be used with
terminal rests to prevent tipping
leverage as in single cingulum
canine rest.
 MODIFICATION
AREAS
The occlusal rests on a secondary
abutment in class II modification 1
serve as an indirect retainer.
If only one tooth is missing in the
modification areas , occlusal rests
on this side should provide support
for the unsupported major
connector along with indirect
retainer.
 RUGAE SUPPORT

Rugae area is firm hence used for

indirect retention especially for
class I situation.
It can be used in case of U
shaped designs.
Less effective than a tooth
supported indirect retainer.