Biomechanical principles in

Removable Partial Dentures

Dr. Debashis P.
Senior Lecturer,
Department of Prosthodontics,
Mansarovar Dental College & Hospoital

Biomechanical principles in
Removable Partial Dentures

Dr. Debashis P.
Senior Lecturer,
Department of Prosthodontics,
Mansarovar Dental College & Hospoital

Contents
Introduction
Definitions

Mechanical

principles applicable in removable

Prosthodontics.
Stress

consideration in a partial denture

Forces

acting on partial denture

 Biomechanical

consideration of individual

component
Factors

influencing magnitude of stress

Controlling

stress by design

Summary
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Biomechanics basically deals with application of mechanical

principles to biological tissues. In the oral cavity one would
find a number of sources of stress generation, the human
body is built in such a manner that it learns to adapt to any
stressful situation. However when we try to create an artificial
replacement of that natural component which is lost, we are at
a loss in making it fully functional and adaptable.

Removable partial dentures by design are intended to be

removed from and replaced into the mouth. Because of this,
they are not rigidly connected to the teeth or tissues, which
means that they are subjected to movement in response to
functional loads, such as those created by mastication etc.
These movement can cause generation of stresses which if
not controlled , can damage the remaining teeth and
supporting bone.

A systematic approach to designing an RPD

should be based on thorough understanding of the
various forces that will act on the RPD. After a
complete analyses of the direction and magnitude
of these forces, one can select the components of
the RPD and position them to counteract, control
or minimize these stresses, without compromising
the health.

Definitions

Biomechanics (GPT 7):

1: The application of mechanical laws to living structures,

specifically the locomotor systems of the body.
2: The study of biology from the functional viewpoint.
3: An application of the principles of engineering design as
implemented in living organisms.

Lever:
A simple machine consisting of a rigid bar pivoted on a
fixed point and used to transmit force, as in raising or
moving a weight at one end by pushing down on the other.

Fulcrum
A prop or support.
That by which a lever is sustained, or about which it turns
in lifting or moving a body.

Stress (GPT-7): Force per unit area;

A force exerted on one body that presses on, pulls on,
pushes against, or tends to invest or compress another body; the
deformation caused in a body by such a force; an internal force
that resists an externally applied load or force. It is normally
defined in terms of mechanical stress, which is the force divided
by the perpendicular cross sectional area over which the force is
applied.

Strain (GPT-7): Change in length per unit length when stress

is applied; the change in length/original length

Fulcrum line (GPT-7):

1: A theoretical line passing through the point around which a
lever functions and at right angles to its path of movement
2: an imaginary line, connecting occlusal rests, around which a
removable partial tends to rotate under masticatory forces. The
determinants for the fulcrum line are usually the cross arch
occlusal rests located adjacent to the tissue borne components

Fulcrum line of a removable partial denture: (GPT-7):

theoretical line around which a removable partial denture tends

to rotate

Mechanical Principles Applicable In

Removable Prosthodontics

Lever principle

Inclined plane

Snowshoe principle

L beam effect

 Give me a lever long enough and

a fulcrum strong enough and I can
move the world

Lever: A simple machine consisting of a rigid bar pivoted

on a fixed point and used to transmit force, as in raising
or moving a weight at one end by pushing down on the
other.

Three classes of levers (based on location of fulcrum,

resistance and direction of effort (force).
Class I
Class II
Class III

Class I lever

Fulcrum

lies

in

the

centre, Resistance is at
one end and force at the
other.

Class II lever

Fulcrum is at one end

effortat the opposite end
and

resistance

centre.

in

the

Class III lever

Fulcrum is at one end,

resistance at opposite end
and effort is in the centre.

Inclined plane
Forces against an inclined
plane

may

result

in

deflection of that which is

applying the forces or may
result in movement to the
inclined plane, neither of
these is desirable.

Snowshoe Principle
This principle is based on distribution of forces to as large an
area as possible.

Like in a snowshoe which is designed to distribute forces on

the entire base area of the shoe, a partial denture should cover
maximum area possible within the physiologic limits so as to
distribute the forces over a larger area.

L Beam Effect : This principle is applicable

to the antero-posterior palatal bar or strap
major connector.

In this component there are two bars / strap

lying perpendicular to each other. The
anterior and posterior bars are joined by flat
longitudinal elements on each side of the
lateral slopes of the palate.

The two bars lying in two different planes

produce a structurally strong L beam effect
that gives excellent rigidity to the prosthesis.

Stress Consideration In A Partial Denture

The stresses can be divided as:

Vertical

Horizontal

Torsional

Displacing stresses
Dislodging stresses

Vertical Stress
Displacing Stresses :
Those forces which are the result of downward stresses
along the long axis of the teeth in a crown to apex direction and
the relatively vertical stresses on the ridge mucosa.

These are the least harmful and are born well if within
physiologic limits

Dislodging stresses :
These are the forces which tend to lift the partial denture from
its rest position. Reciprocal dislodging action occurs when
wide edentulous spaces are interrupted by few teeth thus
inviting an antero-posterior or lateral tilt of prosthesis.

Horizontal Stress
They originate as a component of rhythmic chewing
stroke. These forces are effective in mesio-distal and
buccolingual direction.

These lateral stresses

are most damaging.

Torsional Stress
It is a twisting rotational type of force. Its a combination
of vertical and horizontal force.

Torsion is noted most frequently where a long segment

acts upon the first abutment it engages. Where the ridge
mucosa has higher resiliency torque is higher. Torque
applies rotation about a fixed point.

Forces Acting On Partial Denture

Forces on an RPD are the result of a

composite of forces arising from three
principle fulcrums.

1. Fulcrum On Horizontal Plane:

Extends through the principle abutments.

Rotational movement of the denture in the sagittal plane.

Force on abutment
mesio-apical or disto-apical

(greatest vector in
apical direction)

Denture Base Moves Away From Supporting Tissues:

Counteracted by: Direct retainer and Indirect retainer

Denture Base Moves Towards The Supporting Tissues:

Counteracted by: Occlusal rest & Tissues of supporting ridge

2. Fulcrum On The Sagittal Plane:

Rotation around the longitudinal axis formed along the crest of

residual ridge.
Less in magnitude but can be damaging.

Counteracted by:

Rigidity of major and minor

connector and their ability to
resist torque.

Close

adaptation

of

the

denture base along the lateral

slopes and the buccal slopes
of the palate and ridge.

Direct retainer design

3. Fulcrum Located In Midline Just Lingual To The Anterior

Teeth (Fulcrum Is Vertical)

Rotational movement of denture in horizontal plan

OR
Flat circular movements of the denture

Counteracted by :

Stabilizing

(reciprocal

components
arm

and

minor

connector)

Rigid

major connector

Close

base

adaptation of denture

THANK YOU

Biomechanical consideration
of individual component

REST
FUNCTIONS

Provide vertical support for the partial denture.

Maintains components in planned positions.

Maintains established occlusal relations by

preventing settling of the denture base.

Prevents impingement of soft tissue.

Directs and distributes occlusal loads to

abutment teeth.

Relation between rest and

abutment should be such that
forces should be directed
apically down along the long axis
of the tooth

Stress absorbed by fibers of PDL

without getting damaged

Rest
Primary

rest part of direct retainer unit

Secondary

/ Auxiliary rest

Primary rest:
prevent vertical movement of denture
base towards tissue
Transmit horizontal forces applied during
function to abutment teeth

Occlusal Rest

If angle greater than 90 degrees

Forces not along long axis

Slippage of prosthesis away

from the abutment
Orthodontic like forces

 Abutment

severely tilted

Extended occlusal rest seat

Decrease further tipping
To ensure that
the forces are
directed along
the long axis of the tooth.

Internal occlusal rest

Only in tooth supported partial denture

Provides both support

and horizontal stability

Adv:
Location of rest more
favorable in relation to
tipping axis of abutment

No clasp required buccally

Cingulum rest Vs Incisal rest

Cingulum rest nearer to center
of rotation
less tipping of tooth
Incisal rest
Longer minor connector required
magnifies the forces being transferred to the
abutment tooth

Positioning of occlusal rest in Distal

extension base situations (JPD 1977:
38;261)

Moves the point of rotation anteriorly

Transmits forces in a more vertical direction

Kratochvil et al (JPD 1963:13;114)

Suggested using mesial occlusal rest so that
the force delivered to the mesial aspect of the
abutment tooth would tend to tip that tooth
forward maintaining a tight contact with the
tooth immediately anterior to it and gaining
stabilization and support from the remaining
anterior teeth.
They suggested that occlusal rest be moved
anterior to better use the residual ridge for
support.

John W. Mc cartney (JPD 1980;43:15)

Did a study on the effect of location of
occlusal rest on abutment tooth
movement and concluded that the mesial
rest placement caused less abutment
movement than distal rest placement.
Stewart et al favored distal rest for distal
extension prosthesis primarily to prevent
food impaction between the tooth and
denture.

ADVANTAGES OF MESIAL REST

FOR DEB RPD

1. Decreases stress on abutment teeth

Distal occlusal rest
Gingival extremity of denture base
adjacent to posterior abutment tends
to move in an arc towards the tooth
Little or no support from
the mucosa near the tooth
Tissue adjacent to tooth
may be compressed
between denture base
and abutment causing tissue ischemia

Mesial rest
produces more perpendicular transmission of
occlusal forces
Increased dependence of the denture on
ridge for support
Force more vertical
near abutment tooth
Decreased possibility
of marginal tissue
ischemia

2.Mesial rest will apply a mesial force

to the abutment tooth, moving
It towards the adjacent tooth.

3. Mesially placed rest helps to provide

indirect retention of the denture (Zach et
al JPD 1975;33;32-35)
4. A mesial rest provides additional
guiding planes to limit the possible path
of withdrawl (Zach et al JPD
1975;33;32-35)
5. Mesial rest and its accompanying
minor connector can be instrumental in
preventing distal displacement of RPD.
(Zach et al JPD 1975;33;32-35)

SITUATIONS WHERE A MESIAL

REST IS CONTRAINDICATED

1.If the space between the distal abutment and

its adjacent tooth does not allow adequate space
for the minor connector to rotate occlusal
force on the denture base will cause wedging
action.

2. If the only occlusal contact is against the rest,

the opposing tooth
will move into the
space reserved for
the rest when partial
denture is not in patients
mouth.
Returning the
prosthesis to place will
produce a transient
occlusal prematurity.

DIRECT RETAINER
Any unit of removable dental prosthesis
that engages an abutment tooth in such a
manner as to resist displacement of the
prosthesis away from basal seat tissue.
Extra coronal retainers (clasps) operates on
the principle of resistance of metal to
deform

 Prothero

Cone theory as
basis of clasp retention

Described

shape of crowns of
premolar and molar teeth as 2
cones sharing a common base
. Line where they meet
height of contour. (represents
the greatest bulge).

Suprabulge
Infrabulge

 Height

of contour of tooth changes as the

vertical position of tooth changes.

Surface

contour.

is retentive if it is cervical to its height of

 Clasp

tip in infrabulge area resist the

movement in occlusal direction because to
release from tooth it has to undergo
deformation.

Degree

of resistance to deformation
determines the amount of clasp retention.

Retention

varied by:
depth of undercut
Flexibility of clasp arm positioned in
undercut

Areas used for retention must be

undercut in relation to partial dentures
path of insertion and withdrawl

Requirements of clasp design:

Retention
Support
Stability
Reciprocation
Encirclement
passivity

1. Retention
Retentive

arm
provides retention

Three parts:
Terminal third
Middle third
Proximal third

Retention depends on:

Flexibility of clasp arm
Depth that the retentive terminal extends
into the undercut
Amount of clasp arm that extends below
the height of contour

Retentive undercut has three

dimensions:
A)

B-L depth of undercut:

measured by Undercut gauge

(thousands of an inch)

Distance between height of contour

and a given B-L measurement
depends upon the angle formed by
infrabulge and this vertical line.
Angle is called angle of cervical
convergence.

Less sharp this angle, greater distance

needed between the height of contour
and the retentive terminal to achieve
the same amount of retention.

Clasp flexibility affects its placement

Cast chrome 0.01 inch
Gold 0.015 inch
Cast wrought metal 0.02 inch

 B)

another
dimension distance
between survey line
and tip of the
retentive clasp

Effects

clasp arm
length influences
flexibility of clasp

 C)

third dimension
M-D length of clasp
arm below the height
of contour

Longer

this
measurement more
flexible the clasp

Flexibility of clasp depends on:

Length
Diameter
Taper
Cross sectional form
Material

Length of the clasp

Increase length
increased flexibility
Flexure directly proportional
3
to (length)
Clasp arm not to cover the
tooth surface in straight
line but be curved with tip
facing occlusaly

Diameter
Flexibility

inversely
proportional to
diameter of clasp
arm

 Uniform

taper

Essential

in both
width and thickness
for retentive arm of
clasp

Clasp

be half as thick
at tip as at origin.

Cross sectional form:

Round

clasp greater flexibility than a half

round clasp with same diameter

Round

clasp flex in all spatial planes, while

half round only in one plane

Material:
Chrome alloys higher modulus of elasticity than gold
alloys less flexible.
Therefore smaller cross sectional form of the clasp and
less depth of retentive undercut must be used for
chrome alloy
Wrought

wire because
of internal structure i.e.
longitudinal structure as
compared to grain
structure of cast alloy
greater flexibility

2. Support
Prime support unit of clasp assembly is the rest.
3. Stability
All components of clasp except retentive
terminal contributes to stability.
Cast circumferential clasp greatest stability
because its shoulder is rigid and aids in
stabilization
Wrought wire clasp
Less stability
Bar clasp

 4.

Reciprocation:

Each retentive arm must be opposed by reciprocal

arm or other element of partial denture
Capable of resisting these horizontal forces.
It also plays role in stabilizing the denture
against horizontal movement.

Reciprocal arm rigid, not tapered

Positioned on tooth that is
reasonably parallel to
dentures path of insertion
and withdrawal
If arm positioned on surface that
is tapered occlusally slight movement
of denture will cause clasp to loose contact
with tooth reciprocal and retention lost

Placed as close to the height of contour as possible,

no higher than middle third of the tooth.
Preferably at junction of
gingival and middle third

If height of contour high

lowered by recontouring
the enamel surface

5. Encirclement
Each clasp designed to
encircle more than 180
degrees of abutment
tooth
if not
clasp act an orthodontic
appliance
forcing abutment tooth to
move out of contact with
clasp.

 Encirclement

In form of continuous contact

circumferential clasp arm

Broken

contact
Bar clasp.
(assembly must
contact atleast
three different tooth
areas {occ rest, retentive terminal, reciprocal
terminal} that embrace more than half the
tooth circumference.)

6. Passivity:
Clasp

be completely
passive

Retentive

function
activated only when
dislodging forces are
applied to partial
denture.

Clasp

be seated
completely

Location of retentive terminals

Retentive

terminal be located at mesial or

distal line angle of the tooth.
If centre of facial or lingual
surface used clasp
shortened decreasing
flexibility and
compromising encirclement.
Retentive

terminal generally
preferred on facial/ buccal
side than lingual side.

In a Kennedys class III situation the

only function of clasp is to deform
sufficiently during the insertion and
removal of the
restoration to allow
them to flex over the
height of contour of the
teeth in passing to and
from undercut area.
The retentive clasp is
not called upon to flex, other than to
engage the undercut area of the tooth for
the purpose of resisting vertical
movement.

The direct retainer for the free end saddle must perform
still other function in addition to that of resisting vertical
displacement.
Because of absence of
distal support saddle
will move tissueward under
function proportionate to the
quality of the supporting
tissues and the accuracy of
the supporting base.
Therefore these elements of
Clasp which lie in an undercut area must
flex sufficiently to dissipate the
stresses which would otherwise be
transmitted to the abutment tooth
as leverage.

But clasp can not effectively dissipate this

stress because:
i)

Material itself can have only limited

flexibility .

ii) Clasp are made half round in shape it

can flex only in one direction therefore
can not effectively dissipate, by flexing
all stresses placed on it. Therefore most
of the tilting stress is transmitted to
abutment as leverage.

Henderson and Steffel:- suggested a

wrought wire retentive arm that would
be more flexible and therefore will not
pull the tooth posteriorly.
Alternate suggestion was to use a bartype clasp arm in the distal facial
undercut to reduce force on the
abutment.

Kurrasch et al
recommended to
place the retentive
arm of the clasp at the
height of contour
rather than into an
undercut and rely on
friction for retention,
thereby decrease
force on the abutment.

David N Firtell (JPD 1985:53;77)

Reaction of the abutment of a
Kennedy class II RPD to
various clasp arm designs

1.Circumferential
clasp with a cast
retentive arm
placed at the
survey line

2.Circumferential
clasp with a
cast retentive
arm placed into
the M-F
undercut of
0.01 inch

3.Circumferential
clasp with a
wrought wire
retentive arm
placed into M-F
undercut of
0.01 inch

4. Buccal I bar

placed at the
greatest facial
curvature into a
0.01 inch
undercut

Concluded that the amount of

movement of the abutment tested
varied relative to the clasp design.
Concluded that 1. design
(Circumferential clasp with a cast
retentive arm placed at the survey
line) showed least movement while
2. design (Circumferential clasp with
a cast retentive arm placed into the
M-F undercut of 0.01 inch) showed
maximum movement.

Richard P Frank (JPD1986:56;562)

concluded that I bar clasp arm
resist lifting of the DEB better
than do wrought wire clasp arm.