MINOR CONNECTORS

MINOR CONNECTORS
Minor connectors are those components that serve as the connecting link between 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 rests, or cingulum rests.

FUNCTIONS
• In addition to joining denture parts, the minor connector serves other purposes.
1- To transfer functional stress to the abutment teeth. This is a (prosthesis-to-abutment function) of the minor connector.
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. The minor connectors arising from a rigid major connector make possible this transfer of functional stress throughout the dental arch.
2- To transfer the effect of the retainers, rests, and stabilizing components throughout the prosthesis. This is an (abutment-to-prosthesis function) of the minor connector. Thus forces applied on one portion of the denture may be resisted by other components placed elsewhere in the arch for that purpose. A stabilizing component on one side of the arch may be placed to resist horizontal forces originating on the opposite side. This is possible only because of the transferring effect of the minor connector, which supports that stabilizing component, and the rigidity of the major connector.
3- Provide unification and rigidity.
4- It might help in retention and stability of the prosthesis.
5- Through its connection to the guiding plane; it helps as a bracing element.
6- Share in the path of insertion and removal maintenance.
Basic types of the minor connectors
1- Minor connectors placed into embrasures between two adjacent teeth or adjacent to abutment teeth.
2- Gridwork minor connectors that covers the edentulous area.

FORM AND LOCATION
1- The 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.
2- A 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 will be least noticeable to the tongue.

3- It should passing vertically from the major connector and covers as little of the gingival tissue as possible.
4- The minor connector cross the free gingival area must be relieved in order not to impinge the tissue.
5- 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.
6- It is a minor connector that contacts the guiding plane surfaces of the abutment teeth. Here the minor connector must be wide enough to use the guiding plane to the fullest advantage.

7- When an artificial tooth will be placed against a proximal minor connector, the minor connector s greatest bulk should be toward the lingual aspect of the abutment tooth. This way sufficient bulk is ensured with the least interference to placement of the artificial tooth.
8- Those portions of a denture framework by which acrylic resin denture bases are attached are called minor connectors. This type of minor connector should be so designed that it will be completely embedded within the denture base. The junctions of these mandibular minor connectors with the major connectors should be strong butt-type joints but without appreciable bulk.
9- Angles formed at the junctions of the connectors should not be greater than 90 degrees, thus ensuring the most advantageous and strongest mechanical connection between the acrylic resin denture base and the major connector.

10- The minor connector for the mandibular distal extension base should extend posteriorly about two thirds the length of the edentulous ridge and have elements on both the lingual and buccal surfaces. Such an arrangement will not only add strength to the denture base but also may minimize distortion of the cured base from its inherent strains caused by processing.
11- Minor connectors for maxillary distal extension denture bases should extend the entire length of the residual ridge and should be of a ladder-like.