Stress analysis on the different clasps of the removable partial denture by three-dimensional finite element method

Statement of problem. In the partially edentulous patients, removable partial dentures have been working as a important treatment modality. Clasps, a kind of direct retainers, received some amount of stresses during the insertion and removal of partial denture on the abutment tooth. Purpose. The study is to investigate stresses of the different clasps. Material and methods. In order to investigate the degree of stresses, maxillary partial edentulism (Kennedy Class II modification I) was assumed and removable partial dentures were designed on it with three kinds of metallic materials; cobalt-chromium alloy, type IV gold alloy and commercially pure (c.p.) titanium. Aker's clasp was applied on the left second molar. RPA (mesial rest-proximal plate-Aker's) clasp was on the left first premolar and wrought wire clasp was on the right first premolar. Three dimensional, non-linear, dynamic finite element analysis method was run to solve this process. Results. 1. Cobalt-chromium alloy had the highest von Mises stress value and c.p. titanium had the lowest one irrespective of the types of clasps. 2. In the Aker's clasps, stress on the retentive tips was shown shortly after the appearance of stresses of the middle and minor connector areas. These time lag was much shorter in the RPA clasps than in the Aker's clasp. 3. In general. retentive tips of wrought wire clasps had much less amount of stress than other clasps. Conclusion. The amount of stress was the highest in the RPA clasp and the lowest in the wrought wire clasp, in general