Hybrid gate design frameworks for the rehabilitation of the maxillectomy patient

A removable partial denture (RPD) for the restoration of maxillary defects must incorporate sound design principles to reduce potential damage to the abutment teeth and supporting periodontal tissue, while enabling acceptable functional levels of speech, mastication, and deglutition. These functional demands and potential stresses on the abutment teeth may exceed those encountered by patients without maxillary defects. This article describes the indications and design considerations for a hybrid gate design framework that incorporates both conventional cast direct retainers and the gate design concept in the same framework.