Preparation for Clasps
Posted on 04/03/2012
Reciprocating and bracing clasps of an RPD framework should be designed to touch the tooth above the height of contour. This creates two challenges:
1. For posterior teeth, the height of contour is often very close to the occlusal surface. If the clasp sits to close to the occlusal plane, patients will often bite into the clasp causing both discomfort, dislodging and possible fracture of an opposing tooth.
2. For anterior teeth, the height of contour is often close to an esthetic zone (in addition to being close to the occlusal plane). Patients are rarely willing to have a metal clasp showing prominently in their smile.
As a result of these challenges, it is recommended to reduce the tooth to create a new height of contour closer to the gingiva or re-design the clasping design to an I-bar, Y-Bar or T-bar design. Alternatively, a flexi clasp such as Valplast (R) or Acetal Resin is a good option when aesthetics are important.
1. For posterior teeth, the height of contour is often very close to the occlusal surface. If the clasp sits to close to the occlusal plane, patients will often bite into the clasp causing both discomfort, dislodging and possible fracture of an opposing tooth.
2. For anterior teeth, the height of contour is often close to an esthetic zone (in addition to being close to the occlusal plane). Patients are rarely willing to have a metal clasp showing prominently in their smile.
As a result of these challenges, it is recommended to reduce the tooth to create a new height of contour closer to the gingiva or re-design the clasping design to an I-bar, Y-Bar or T-bar design. Alternatively, a flexi clasp such as Valplast (R) or Acetal Resin is a good option when aesthetics are important.
