Minor Connectors Connect components to the major connector Direct retainer Indirect retainer Denture base

Functions of Minor Connectors Unification and rigidity Stress distribution Bracing through contact with guiding planes Maintain a path of insertion

Types of Minor Connectors Embrasure Minor Connectors Between two adjacent teeth

Types of Minor Connectors Embrasure Minor Connectors Triangular shaped in cross section Joins major connector at right angles Relief placed over free ginigival margin so connector to minimize potential for impingement

Types of Minor Connectors Embrasure Minor Connectors Contact teeth at or above height of contour Prevents wedging & tooth mobility Alternatively, difficult to seat

Gridwork Minor Connectors Connect denture base and teeth to major connector

Gridwork Minor Connectors Adjacent edentulous spaces Usually connect major connector to direct retainers Open lattice work or mesh types

Gridwork Minor Connectors Mesh type Flatter Potentially more rigid Less retention for acrylic if openings are small

Gridwork Minor Connectors Lattice Type Potentially superior retention Interferes with setting of teeth, if struts are too thick Both types are acceptable if correctly designed

Gridwork Relief Mechanical retention of denture base resin Allows acrylic resin to flow under gridwork ~1mm thickness (baseplate wax) 1mm

Gridwork Relief Relief wax is placed over edentulous areas

Relief Under the Gridwork Should begin 1.5 - 2 mm from the abutment tooth 1.5-2mm 1.5-2mm

Relief Under Gridwork Creates a metal to tissue contact adjacent tooth Preferable since it wears less Less porous, (hygiene)

Junction With Major Connector Butt joint with slight undercut in metal Maximum bulk of the acrylic resin Prevents thin, weak edges fracturing

Mandibular Gridwork Design Extend 2/3 of the way from abutment tooth to retromolar pad Never on the ascending portion of the ridge Stewart's, Fig. 2-55

Maxillary Gridwork Design 2/3 of the length of from abutment to the hamular notch Major connector extends fully to the hamular notch

Maxillary Gridwork Design Don’t want interference with opposing denture base/tissue

Facially just over the crest of the residual ridge Gridwork Design Facially just over the crest of the residual ridge

Position of Major Connector Junction Should be ≈ 2 mm medial to lingual surface of denture teeth

Position of Major Connector Junction Ensures bulk of resin around teeth

Mandibular Tissue Stops Contact of metal with cast at posterior of distal extension gridwork Prevents distortion at free end during hydraulic pressure of processing

Mandibular Tissue Stops Without With Gap Between Base and Tissue

No Tissue Stops In Maxilla Maxillary major connector acts as a tissue stop (no relief)

Proximal Plates Originate from the gridwork minor connector in an edentulous area Broad contact with guiding planes May or may not terminate in an occlusal rest

Proximal Plates

Proximal Plates Shifted slightly lingually Increases rigidity Enhances reciprocation Improves esthetics Often a triangular space below the guiding plane (undercut)

Proximal Plates Rigid, cannot be placed in undercut Block-out placed in undercuts prior to waxing and casting the framework

Zero Degree Block-Out Does not deviate from path of insertion Instructions to the laboratory should state “Use zero degree blockout”