SIUST, College of Dentistry

Removable Prosthodontics II, Lec.7

Minor Connectors
These are small struts (or connecting link) which join the major connector or
base of a removable partial denture and the other components of the
prosthesis, such as the clasp assembly, indirect retainers, occlusal rest or
cingulum rest.

The minor connector should be:

1. Unobtrusive.

2. Fits between the teeth and cross the minimum of gingival surface.

3. Rigid.

Its strength is important since they support the denture against the occlusal
forces and therefore transmit heavy loads to the natural teeth.

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SIUST, College of Dentistry
Removable Prosthodontics II, Lec.7

Functions of the minor connector:

In addition to joining denture parts, the minor connector serves two other
purposes:

1. To transfer functional stress to the abutment teeth.

This is prosthesis-to-abutment.

 Occlusal forces applied to the artificial teeth are transmitted

through the base to the underlying ridge tissue if that base is
primarily tissue supported.

 Occlusal forces applied to the artificial teeth are also transferred

to abutment teeth through occlusal rests.

2. To transfer the effect of the retainers, rests, and stabilizing

components throughout the prosthesis.
This is an abutment-to-prosthesis.

 Forces applied on one portion of the denture may be resisted by

other components placed elsewhere in the arch for that purpose.

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SIUST, College of Dentistry
Removable Prosthodontics II, Lec.7

 A stabilizing component on one side of the arch may be placed

to resist horizontal forces originating on the opposite side.

Form and location of the minor connectors:

 Minor connector must have sufficient bulk to be rigid; otherwise the

transfer of functional stresses to the supporting teeth and tissue will
not be effective. At the same time, the bulk of the minor connector
should not be objectionable.

 Minor connector contacting the axial surface of an abutment should

not be located on a convex surface. Instead, it should be located in an
embrasure where it should be least noticeable to the tongue.

 It should conform to the interdental embrasure, passing vertically

from the major connector so that the gingival crossing is abrupt and
covers as little of the gingival tissue as possible.

 It should be thickest toward the lingual surface, tapering toward the

contact area.

 The deepest part of the interdental embrasure should have been

blocked out to avoid interference during placement and removal, and
to avoid any wedging effect on the contacted teeth.

 When a minor connector contacts tooth surfaces on either side of the

embrasure in which it lies, it should be tapered to the teeth. This
avoids sharp angles, which could hinder tongue movement, and
eliminates spaces that could trap food.

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SIUST, College of Dentistry
Removable Prosthodontics II, Lec.7

Finishing line at junction of

ladderlike minor connector &
major connector blends
smoothly into minor connector
contacting distal guiding plane
on second premolar.
Framework is feathered toward
tissue anterior to finishing line
to avoid as much bulk in this
area as possible without
compromising the strength of
the butt-type joint.

 Minor connectors should connect the major connector in vertical way.

If they did not attach correctly, the minor connector will crack.

Edited By
Noor Al-Deen M. Al-Khanati