title: Acceptability of maxillary major connectors in removable partial dentures.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ibadan. ayo672002@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Abiodun Olabisi
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Arigbede
authors.forename: Oluwole O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Dosumu
authors.forename: Temitope Ayodeji
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Esan
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Akeredolu
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003764:Dental Materials; D009532:Nickel