A COMPARISON OF VARIOUS REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURE CLASP MATERIALS ANDFABRICATION PROCEDURE FOR PLACING CLASPS ON CANINE AND PREMOLAR TEETH

There is no established protocol for selection among the different ret entive material-attachment combinations for clasps other than traditio n or laboratory preference. Various wrought-wire, cast-metal, and ther moplastic materials were subjected to several fabrication procedures a nd tested in a custom-designed force displacement apparatus. The wroug ht wires included ADA Spec. No. 7 type I and type II alloys and other precious and nonprecious alloys. A graphic means was devised to allow the rational selection of wrought-wire clasp-arm combinations for plac ing clasps on canine and premolar teeth. Guidelines for using straight wire data for curved wire applications are indicated.