5

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

1-Embrasure Minor Connectors Between two adjacent teeth

Types of Minor Connectors

Embrasure Minor Connectors

2-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 type

Open lattice work, mesh types Bead ,wire, loops or nail posts minor connectors

MESH

LATTIIC
BEAD
NAIL POST

Gridwork Relief

Relief wax is placed in edentulous areas 1 mm of relief

Relief Under the Gridwork

Should begin 1.5 - 2 mm from the abutment tooth



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


4-surface minor connector -are located on the lingual surface of incisors and canines connector -they connect lingual rests to the major connector

Position of Major Connector Junction

Should be ≈ 2 mm medial to lingual surface of denture teeth