title: Comparison of Retention of Clasps Made of Different Materials Using Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retention and esthetics are believed to play a crucial role in deciding the success of removable partial dentures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare retention of acetal resin and cobalt-chromium clasps.
  
  
  METHODS
  A finite element model was designed with an edentulous space between mandibular right second premolar and second molar. Occlusal rests were placed on distal fossa of the second premolar and mesial fossa of second molar. An undercut depth of 0.01inch was created on the mesiobuccal surface of the premolar and distobuccal surface of second molar. Three dimensional finite element model of clasp assembly was designed and assigned with the properties of two different materials namely acetal resin and cobalt-chromium in successive steps. A horizontal bar was constructed between the occlusal rests of the prosthesis. Later, variable amount of dislodging force, in increasing order, was applied at the centre of the horizontal bar and the force at which the clasp arm gets dislodged was noted with respect to each of the material. The obtained values were noted and then subsequently analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The amount of force required to dislodge acetal resin and cobalt-chromium clasps was found to be 0.02N and 2N respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained suggested that acetal resin clasp exhibited less retentive force than cobalt-chromium clasps.
authors.affiliation: Consultant Prosthodontics, Department of Prosthodontics, Partha Dental Hospital , Secunderabad, Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Jaggari Chandrakanth
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Prosthodontics, Aditya Dental College & Hospital , Beed, Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: Sarath Babu
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Chintapatla
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Prosthodontics, CKS Teja Institute of Dental Sciences , Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Naveen Kumar
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Srikakula
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Prosthodontics, Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences , Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Rajesh Kumar Reddy
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Juturu
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Prosthodontics, Gitam Dental College & Hospital , Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Shameen Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Paidi
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Prosthodontics, Gitam Dental College & Hospital , Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Satyendra Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Tedlapu
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Periodontics, Triveni Institute of Dental Sciences, Hospital & Research Center , Bilaspur, Chattisgarh, India .
authors.forename: Padmakanth
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mannava
authors.affiliation: Dental Surgeon, SmileTime Dental & Maxillofacial Center , Nizampet, Hyderabad, Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Rukhaiya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khatoon
keywords: Acetal resin; Cobalt–chromium; Occlusal rests; Prosthesis