Direct retainers for distal-extension removable partial dentures

Clinical observations at the University of Washington indicated that the wrought wire clasp assembly, the I-bar clasp assembly, and the L-bar clasp assembly yield similar results. A periodic recall system for patients with removable partial dentures has been in effect since 1976. Several thousand observations have been made by the faculty, and no special trend of problems has been noted that would cause one clasp assembly to be favored over another. These three types of clasp assemblies work satisfactorily when properly chosen and carefully applied.