Force transmission by indirect retainers when a unilateral dislodging force is applied

Within the experimental design of this study, the following conclusions were drawn: A unilateral vertical dislodging force applied to a distal-extension removable partial denture is transmitted to the supporting structures with a vertical and horizontal component. The presence of indirect retainers transmits the vertical component of force to both indirect retainer abutment teeth while the horizontal component is transmitted to the indirect retainer and primary abutments on the side opposite the loading force. The presence of indirect retainers reduces the stress to the primary abutment teeth. The presence of indirect retainers distributes stress to more supporting teeth.