FORCES ACTING ON REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES

The Supporting structures for removable partial are structurally

adapted to receive and absorb forces within their physiological
tolerance.
The ability of these structures to tolerate forces is largely
dependent upon the magnitude, the duration and the direction of these
forces in addition to the frequency of force application.
The magnitude of forces acting on partial dentures depends on
age and sex of the patient, the power of the muscles of mastication and
the type of opposing occlusion.
Natural teeth are better able to tolerate vertical forces acting on
them. This is because more periodontal fibers are activated to resist the
application of vertical forces (Fig.11-1: 11-3).
On the other hand, lateral forces are potentially destructive to
both teeth and bone. Lateral forces should be minimized in order to be
within the physiologic tolerance of the supporting structures.
Forces accruing through a removable restoration can be widely
distributed, directed, and minimized by the selection, the design, and
the location of components of removable partial dentures and by
developing a harmonious occlusion.
Two distinctly different types of removable partial denture exist

either:
1 -Distal extension partial dentures that derive their support
from the tissues underlying the base and limited support from
the abutment teeth or

2-Bounded partial dentures that derive their support from the

abutment teeth at each end of the edentulous space.

All partial dentures must be supported and retained against

reasonable dislodging forces in addition to accomplish the objective
of maintaining and preserving the health of the supporting
structures. This could be realized by applying simple mechanical
principles of leverages to the design.
A cantilever:
It is a beam supported only at one end, when force is directed
against unsupported end of beam cantilever can act as first class lever.
(Fig.11- 4).
Levers:
A lever is a rigid bar supported somewhere along its length.
There are three classes of levers: first, second, and third classes.
Classification is based on location of fulcrum F (support),
resistance W, and direction of Effort P.
The removable partial denture should be designed to avoid or
to minimize the destructive potential of lever action or cantilever
design on the abutment teeth (Fig.11-5:11-7)

a
b
Fig. 11-4: It is a beam supported only at one end, when force is directed against
unsupported end of beam cantilever can act as first class lever. Mechanical advantages is
in favor to lever arm. Using Aker clasp in free end saddle cases causes a cantilever
action on the abutment tooth.

a) Class I
Fulcrum between force and weight
Seesaw or head movement
b) Class II
Weight is between fulcrum and pull
Wheelbarrow, standing on toes
c) Class III
Pull located between fulcrum and weight
Person using a shovel
Most common

Application of lever action on partial denture design.

Possible movements of the partial denture:

At least four possible movements of the partial dentures exist.
They do not occur singularly or independently but tend to be
dynamic and all occur at the same time.
I- Tissue-ward movements
II- Tissue-away movements
III- Horizontal movements:
A) Lateral movements
B) Antero-posterior movements.
IV- Rotational movements

Rotational movements are due to the variation in

compressibility of supporting structures, absence of distal
abutment at one end or more ends of denture bases, and /or
absence of occlusal rests or clasps at any end of the bases.
1-Rotation
Rotation of the anterior
anterior and posterior extension denture base
around coronal (transverse) fulcrum axis:
A) Rotation of the denture base towards the ridge around
the fulcrum axis joining the two main occlusal rests:
B) Rotation of the denture base away from the ridge
around the fulcrum axis joining the retentive tips of the
clasps.
2-Rotation
Rotation of all bases around a longitudinal axis parallel to the
crest of the residual ridge (Buccolingual or labiolingual).
3-Rotation
Rotation about an imaginary perpendicular axis, this axis
either near the center of the dental arch in class I, or is
the long axis of abutment tooth in class II partial denture.

Fig. 11-8: Fencepost is more readily

removed by application of force near
its top than by applying same force
nearer ground level

Fig.11-9: a- Retentive and reciprocal arms

are located much nearer to occlusal
surface than they should be, b- abutment
has been contoured to allow rather
favorable location of retentive and
reciprocal arms.

Examples of lever like designs, as well as suggestions for alternative

potential, to avoid or to minimize their destructive potential.

I- Tissue-ward movements
Tissue-ward forces are, Vertical forces acting in gingival
direction tending to move the denture towards the tissues
(Fig. 11-12).
They occur during mastication, swallowing and aimless tooth
contact. Biting forces falling on artificial teeth are
transmitted to the soft tissues and bone underlying the
denture base.
The partial denture should be designed to resist this movement
by providing adequate supporting components. This
function of the partial denture is called Support.
Support is the function of partial denture which prevents
movement of the denture towards the tissues.
This function is mainly provided by:
a) Properly designed supporting rests placed in rest seats,
which are prepared on the abutment teeth,
b) Broad accurately fitting denture bases in distal extension

partial dentures. Therefore, the entire available ridge

posterior to the abutment teeth must be covered with the
denture (Fig. 11-12).
c) Rigid major connectors that are neither relieved from the
tissues nor placed on inclined planes also provide support.

II- Tissue-away movements

Tissue-away dislodging forces are, "Vertical forces acting in an
occlusal direction tending to displace and lift the denture
from its position (Fig.11-13 a,b).
Tissue-away forces occur due to:
The action of muscles acting along the periphery of the denture.
(Fig.11-14).

Gravity acting on upper dentures or by

Sticky food adhering to the artificial teeth or to the denture
base.
Retention is The function of partial denture which prevents the
denture from being displaced in an occlusal direction
(away from the tissues)". (Fig.11-15).
Retention in partial dentures is mainly provided by:
a) The action of mechanical direct retainers, which engage
undercuts on abutment teeth (Fig 11-13).
b) Attachments.

c) The retaining action of physical forces on fitting surfaces of

denture bases as adhesion, cohesion and interfacial surface
tension.
d) The retaining action of physiologic forces on polished
surfaces of denture bases (action of lips, cheek and tongue).
In order to retain the denture the anticipated intensity of
occlusally displacing force exerted during function should be less
than the force required for retaining the denture.

3) Horizontal movements:
A) Lateral movements
Lateral forces are Horizontal forces developed when the
mandible moves from side to side during function while
the teeth are in contact.
Lateral movements have a destructive effect on teeth leading to
tilting, breakdown of the periodontal ligament and looseness
of abutment teeth. The application of lateral forces causes
areas of compression of the periodontal membrane, which
leads to bone resorption. Hence lateral forces play a major
role in bone resorption. (Fig.11-15 A: H)
Bracing is "The function of partial denture which resists lateral
movement of the appliance".
Partial dentures should be designed to prevent the deleterious
effects of lateral forces by using stabilizing or bracing
components.
Stabilizing components are "Rigid components of the partial
denture that assist in resisting horizontal movement of the

denture". They help in distributing lateral stresses to all

supporting teeth:
1. Bracing clasp arms placed at or above the survey line of
the tooth.
2. Minor connectors in contact with axial (vertical) surfaces
of abutment teeth.
3. Proximal plates.
4. Adequate extension of the flanges of the denture helps to
stabilize the prosthesis against horizontal forces.
The removable partial denture being anchored to both sides of
one arch and joined by a rigid major connector can provide
cross arch stabilization to forces acting in bucco-lingual
direction.

The magnitude of lateral forces could also be minimized by:

1. Reducing cusp angles of artificial teeth.
2. Providing balanced occlusal contacts free of lateral
interference.

B) Antero-posterior movements
Antero-posterior forces are "Horizontal forces which occur
during forward and-backward movement of the mandible
while the teeth are in contact". This may result in movement
of the denture.
There is natural tendency for the upper denture to move
forward and for the lower to move backward.
Forward movement of the upper denture could be resisted by:
1. Anterior natural teeth.

2. Palatal slope.
3. Maxillary tuberosity.
4. The natural teeth bounding the edentulous space.
The backward movement of the lower denture could be resisted
by:
1. The slope of the retromolar pad.
2. The natural teeth bounding the saddle area.
3. Proximal plates.

VI- Rotational movements:

Rotational forces are Forces acting on the partial denture either in
vertical or horizontal direction causing rotation (torque) of
the denture base around an axis.
In tooth supported removable partial dentures, the abutment teeth
on both sides of the edentulous area provide adequate support
and resistance to rotational forces through supporting rests
and clasps placed on them.
In distal extension partial denture when vertical forces are applied
the difference in displaceability of the supporting structures
often results in rotation of the partial denture around a
fulcrum axis and application of torque on abutment teeth
( Fig.11-1).
Rotational movements must be counteracted in the partial denture
design to minimize their destructive effect on both, teeth and
the residual ridge.

Rotational forces acting on distal extension partial denture may

result in three possible rotational movements these are
I- Rotation of the denture base around the fulcrum axis (Torque).
II- Rotation about a longitudinal axis formed by the crest of the
residual ridge (Tipping movement).
III-Rotation about an imaginary perpendicular axis near the center
of the dental arch (Fish tail movement).

I-Rotation of the denture base around fulcrum axis joining the

principal abutments:
Movement of the component parts of the denture lying on
the opposite side of the fulcrum axis occur in a direction
opposite to that of the applied force. This leads to rotation of
the denture:
The fulcrum axis is an imaginary line passing through teeth and
component parts of the partial denture around which the distal
extension partial denture rotates when a vertical force is
applied.
More than one fulcrum lines may identified for the same
removable partial denture depending on the direction and
location for force application.

(a) Rotation of the denture base towards the ridge:

This movement results from occlusal stresses occurring

during mastication and occlusion of teeth. The free extension

denture base moves tissue-ward while other components on
the opposite side of the fulcrum line moves away from the
tissues. This result in rotation of the denture about a diagonal
supportive fulcrum line joining two occlusal rests on the most
posterior abutments on either side of the dental arch (Fig.11-16)

Tissue ward movement of the base could be limited by supporting

structures, which are:
1. Supportive form of the residual ridge,
2. Accurate and properly extended bases.
3. Artificial teeth set on the anterior two third of the base
Flexible clasps are preferred over rigid clasping to reduce stresses
and torque applied on abutments. If the clasps are rigid, the
abutments tend to rotate distally during tissue ward movement
of the denture base resulting in periodontal breakdown and
looseness of teeth.

(B) Rotation of the denture base away from the ridge.

This movement occurs due to the pulling effect of forces
applied by sticky food, gravity on upper dentures and the elastic
rebound of soft tissues covering the edentulous areas (Fig.11-17).
Tissue-away rotation of denture base is counteracted by:
1- Indirect Retainers: which are the components of partial
denture located on the side of the fulcrum axis opposite to

the distal extension base.

2- The retentive tip of the clasp arm.
3- Adequate coverage and extension of the base (direct
indirect retention )
4- Effect of gravity on mandibular bases.

II-Rotation around a longitudinal axis formed by the crest of

the residual ridge (Tipping movement) (Figs.11-18).
This rotation occurs due to application of vertical forces on
one side of the arch only. It causes twisting of the denture base.
This movement is counteracted by:
1- Cross arch stabilization (The action of clasps on the opposite
side of the arch).
2- Broad base coverage.
3- Proper placement of artificial teeth (teeth on the ridge or
lingualized occlusion).
4- Narrow teeth bucco-lingually.
5- The effect of rigid major connectors.

Fig.11-18: Vertical tissue-ward

ward force applied to one side, causes rotation around
longitudinal axis formed by crest of ridge.

A
Direction of
movement

B
Fig.11-19 A and B: Vertical fulcrum located near the center of the dental arch, lingual to anterior
teeth.

III- Rotation around an imaginary perpendicular axis near the

center of the dental arch.
Application of horizontal or off-vertical force results in
rotation around an imaginary vertical axis located either about
the axis of abutment in class II or near the center of the dental
arch, lingual to anterior teeth in class I. (Fig. 11-19 a,b).
It results due to the application of masticatory forces falling
on distal extension bases causing buccolingual movement of the
base. This rotation is called fishtail movement (Fig. 11-20 a,b).
This movement is counteracted by:
1- Providing adequate bracing components in the partial denture.
2- A rigid major connector.
3- Broad base coverage.
4- Balanced contact between upper and lower teeth.