Maxillary Palatal Plate Major Connector
Posted on 11/10/2011
The maxillary palatal plate major connector refers to the design where the entire palate is covered by either metal or acrylic with metal. It is indicated for Kennedy Class I arch forms (anterior teeth or anterior teeth plus premolars are present, but no posterior teeth are present) where the support from the residual ridge is poor, remaining teeth are weak and may require future extraction.
There are three common design options for the palatal plate:
1. All Metal Plate with no lingual plating
2. All Metal Plate with lingual plating
3. Metal Anterior with Acrylic Posterior
All Metal Plate with no lingual plating
This design is indicated where maximum palatal support is necessary but future anterior extractions are not likely.
All Metal Plate with Lingual Plating
Lingual plating is added when future extractions are likely or additional indirect retention is necessary.
Metal Anterior with Acrylic Posterior
An Acrylic posterior is indicated when relines or rebases may be necessary in the future.
The design elements common to all options include:
1. Beading must be placed in the posterior palatal seal area.
2. Beading for metal palates should be 1mm wide and 1mm deep and must be designed in the master cast.
3. Acrylic palates can have beading added to the model any time prior to acrylic processing
The negative features of the palatal plate major connector design include:
1. Palatal plates be used in the presence of a torus
2. Palatal coverage may diminish sense of taste
3. Palatal coverage may interfere with tongue function and may be uncomfortable
*Portions of this post were adapted from the book: Atlas of Removable Partial denture Design by Dr. Russell J. Stratton and Dr. Frank J. Wiebelt published by Quintessence Publishing Co., Inc. in 1988.
There are three common design options for the palatal plate:
1. All Metal Plate with no lingual plating
2. All Metal Plate with lingual plating
3. Metal Anterior with Acrylic Posterior
All Metal Plate with no lingual plating
This design is indicated where maximum palatal support is necessary but future anterior extractions are not likely.
All Metal Plate with Lingual Plating
Lingual plating is added when future extractions are likely or additional indirect retention is necessary.
Metal Anterior with Acrylic Posterior
An Acrylic posterior is indicated when relines or rebases may be necessary in the future.
The design elements common to all options include:
1. Beading must be placed in the posterior palatal seal area.
2. Beading for metal palates should be 1mm wide and 1mm deep and must be designed in the master cast.
3. Acrylic palates can have beading added to the model any time prior to acrylic processing
The negative features of the palatal plate major connector design include:
1. Palatal plates be used in the presence of a torus
2. Palatal coverage may diminish sense of taste
3. Palatal coverage may interfere with tongue function and may be uncomfortable
*Portions of this post were adapted from the book: Atlas of Removable Partial denture Design by Dr. Russell J. Stratton and Dr. Frank J. Wiebelt published by Quintessence Publishing Co., Inc. in 1988.
