title: Cingulum bar as a major connector for mandibular removable partial dentures.
abstract: In the international literature and textbooks, the cingulum bar as a mandibular major connector is often neglected. It is a viable alternative to a lingual bar where the distance between the marginal gingivae and the mucolingual fold is restricted. It also provides indirect retention and thereby eliminates the need for a conventional indirect retainer. Patient comfort with an RPD with a cingulum bar seems acceptable because the connector forms one unit with the anterior teeth. The replacement of a lost natural anterior tooth with a denture tooth is not difficult. The metal bulk of the bar may be a disadvantage and esthetics may be compromised if spacing is present. Marked lingual inclination of the anterior teeth prevents the use of a cingulum bar. Different laboratory requirements are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Function and Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Nijmegen, Dental School, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meeuwissen
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Keltjens
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Battistuzzi
mesh_terms: D003779:Denture Design; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible