Acceptability of maxillary major connectors in removable partial dentures.
BACKGROUND
The choice of connector lies between plate, a bar or a combination of bars, which may cross the palate in various positions. Many opinions have been expressed concerning the acceptability to the patients of the various forms of palatal connectors but there have been few investigations.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to compare subjective patients' reactions to three maxillary major connectors: metal bar, metal plate, and acrylic connectors and to establish the most acceptable and the least acceptable maxillary major connectors.


METHODS
Fifteen consecutive patients attending the prosthetic out-patient clinic of Dental Center, University College Hospital, Ibadan who had never worn dentures were recruited into the study. Three dentures each with a different maxillary major connector design were fabricated for each patient. A questionnaire was administered to ascertain their reactions to each of the three denture designs.


RESULTS
Fourteen patients (93.3%) preferred the denture with metal palatal bar major connector whereas only one patient preferred the denture with acrylic plate major connector design. No patient preferred the palatal metal plate connector design.


CONCLUSIONS
The metal bar major connector was the most acceptable maxillary major connector while acrylic resin plate was more acceptable than metal plate maxillary major connector. It also confirmed the influence of connector design on patient acceptance of removable partial denture.
Arigbede
Abiodun Olabisi
AO
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ibadan. ayo672002@yahoo.com
Dosumu
Oluwole O
OO
Esan
Temitope Ayodeji
TA
Akeredolu
Patricia A
PA
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002858:Chromium Alloys; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003764:Dental Materials; D003779:Denture Design; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D008437:Maxilla / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel; D009549:Nigeria; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013060:Speech; D055815:Young Adult
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003764:Dental Materials; D009532:Nickel