[Subjective evaluation of major connector designs for mandibular removable partial dentures]

The dentist himself is responsible for the design of the removable partial denture, because he must know and apply the biomechanical principles also. Two mandibular removable partial dentures, one with a lingual bar and the other with a lingual plate as the major connector were constructed for 7 men and 9 women patients who had mandibular Kennedy class I edentulous area. Patients used each type of prothesis for one month. At the end of this period, speeching, chewing and comford of partial dentures were evaluated according to the patients subjective impression. In general, patients adapted best to major connectors that covered soft tissues least was better. As a result, generally patients preferred lingual bar type denture.