Use of a cast flexible plate as a hinge substitute in a hinge-lock design removable partial denture framework.
OBJECTIVE
The use of a hinge for a removable partial denture with an opening labial bow was replaced by the design and construction of a flexible plate incorporated as part of a cobalt-chromium casting.


METHODS
Three similar prostheses were constructed and tested in vitro on an endurance test machine. Each test piece completed 12,000 opening and closing operations without fracture, which a previous study showed is a probable life cycle of a typical removable partial denture with a hinged section.


RESULTS
This plate provided sufficient flexibility to allow functional operation of the removable partial denture by a patient.
Center for Dental Technology, Faculty of Community Health Sciences, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
R J
RJ
Williams
B
B
Roberts
D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003734:Dental Casting Investment; D003735:Dental Casting Technique; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003779:Denture Design; D003781:Denture Retention; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D006801:Humans; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003734:Dental Casting Investment