Facial rests for a Kennedy Class IV removable partial denture

A technique is presented in which acrylic resin extensions from the labial surface of the anterior tissue base of a Kennedy Class IV removable partial denture are used as retentive elements to minimize motion around the axis of rotation. The labial rests, formed by extending the base material of the prosthesis onto the mesiobuccal surfaces of the anterior abutments, act as guiding planes, preventing rotation of the prosthesis. The rests also improve esthetics by covering the interdental spaces often found between the prosthesis and the abutment teeth. The technique has been used successfully with 26 patients over a 3-year period.