RETAINERS & CONNECTORS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Presentation Retainers and Connectors

Define retainer ,connector (C1)
Classify the types of retainers &connectors
(C3)
Discuss the criteria for selection of retainer &
connector &its applications(C2)

RETAINERS

PIDC,DEPARTMET OF
PROSTHODONTICS

DEFINITION
The part of a fixed dental prosthesis that unites the
abutment(s) to the remainder of the restoration
(GPT)
RETAINER

RETAINER

PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

REQUIREMENTS
Withstand masticatory forces
Restore anatomy of tooth
Pulp consideration
Esthetics
Hygiene

PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

CLASSIFICATIONS

RETAINERS ARE CLASSIFIED AS :

EXTRACORONAL RETAINERS

INTRACORANAL RETAINERS

RADICULAR RETAINERS

PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

EXTRACORONAL RETAINERS
Definition : That part of a fixed dental prosthesis
uniting the abutment to the other elements of a
prosthesis that surrounds all or part of the prepared
crown(GPT)
ARE CLASSIFIED AS
FULL VENEER CROWNS
PARTIAL VENEER CROWNS
RESIN BONDED RETAINERS
PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

FULL VENEER CROWN

DEFINITION : A restoration that covers all the
coronal tooth surfaces (mesial, distal, facial, lingual,
and occlusal) (GPT)
ARE CLASSIFIED AS
FULL METAL CROWN
METAL CERAMIC CROWN
ALL CERAMIC CROWN
PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

PARTIAL VENEER CROWN

DEFINITION : A restoration that restores all but
one coronal surface of a tooth or dental implant
abutment, usually not covering the facial
surface(GPT)
ARE CLASSIFIED AS
ANTERIOR 3/4th CROWN
POSTERIOR 3/4th CROWN
7/8th CROWN
PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

RESIN BONDED RETAINERS

DEFINITION : A fixed dental prosthesis that is
luted to tooth structures, primarily enamel, which
has been etched to provide mechanical retention for
the resin cement.(GPT).(To overcome the tooth
reduction required for placement of retainer)
ARE CLASSIFIED AS :
Rochette Bridge
Maryland Bridge
Virgenia Bridge
PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

 Rochette Bridge : a resin-bonded fixed dental

prosthesis incorporating holes within the metal
framework and lutes to the lingual aspect of teeth
adjacent to an edentulous space that replaces one or
more teeth

Maryland Bridge : Use of

acid etching of the metal plate
eliminated the need for
perforations
09/03/15

PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

11

INTRACORONAL RETAINERS
Within the normal contours of the clinical crown of
a tooth
ARE CLASSIFIED AS
INLAY(MOD INLAY MOST
COMMONLY USED)
ONLAY
PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

RADICULAR RETAINERS
pertaining to the root of a tooth
Consists of post/core that obtains its retention and
resistance to displacement from prepared root
portion of an endontically treated tooth
These can be custom made/prefabricated
Depending on:post length/shape/diameter/surface
configuration
Classified by :
Post / Post & core / Pin ledge / Combination of the
above.
PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

CONNECTORS

PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

DEFINITION
The portion of a fixed dental prosthesis that unites
the retainer(s) and pontic(s).(GPT)
CLASSIFIED AS
RIGID CONNECTORS
NON-RIGID CONNECTORS
PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

RIGID CONNECTORS
DEFINITION : A cast, soldered, or fused union
between the retainer(s) and pontic(s)
TYPES:
CAST CONNECTORS
SOLDERED CONNECTORS
LOOP CONNECTORS
PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

 CAST CONNECTORS-A cast metal union

between the retainer(s) and pontic(s) in a fixed
dental prosthesis(GPT).
SOLDERED CONNECTORS-Involve use of an
intermediate metal alloy whose melting temparature
is lower than that of the parent metal
LOOP CONNECTORS-Used when an existing
diastema is to be maintained in the FPD. Consists of
a loop on the lingual aspect of the prosthesis that
connects adjacent retainers or pontics.

PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

NON-RIGID CONNECTORS
DEFINITION : Any connector that permits limited
movement between otherwise independent members
of a fixed dental prosthesis(GPT)
These connectors allow movement between the
pontic and retainer.
Nonrigid connectors are indicated when it is not
possible to prepare two abutments for an FPD with
a common path of placement.
PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

TYPES:
TENON-MORTISE CONNECTOR/DOVETAIL
SPLIT PONTIC CONNECTOR
CROSS-PIN & WING CONNECTOR

PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

 TENON-MORTISE CONNECTOR/DOVETAIL:
CONNECTOR/DOVETAIL
Tenon(male component) is attached to the pontic

Mortise(female component) is prepared within the

contours of retainer

Incorporated during the wax pattern stage

PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

09/03/15

PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

SPLIT PONTIC CONNECTOR

used with pier abutments.
Connector incorporated within the pontic
Pontic split into mesial and distal segments (each
attached to their respective retainers)

PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

The mesial segment with the keyway is cemented first

09/03/15

The distal segment is cemented immediately after

PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

23

CROSS-PIN & WING CONNECTOR

A wing is attached to the distal
retainer (retainer wing component)

Pontic is attached to the mesial

retainer and designed to fit the
wing (retainer pontic component)
A pin hole is drilled and
the pin is seated after
cementing the
components.
PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS

Thank you

PIDC,DEPARTMENT OF
PROSTHODONTICS