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The extent and direction of movement of removable partial dentures during function are influenced by the nature of the supporting structures and the design of the prosthesis. Since forces are transmitted to the abutment teeth through occlusal rests, guide planes and direct retainers during functional movements, proper design based on the avaialble research data will maintain the health of abutment teeth and their supporting structures. The purpose of this in vitro study is evaluating tress distribution clinically around the abutment teeth prepared following 4-type clasping systems for unilateral free-end removable partial dentures. Three-Dimensional Photoelastic Stress Analysis method was used because it shows a visual display of stresses of the simulated abutment teeth and residual ridges and reveals stress concentration that can be read at any given points in terms of direction and magnitude. For this study, the author fabricated 4 mandibular photoelastic epoxy models missing left 1st and 2nd molar. Epoxy models were duplicated and 4 unilateral removable partial dentures were constructed in accordance with 4-typedirect retainers. Unilateral free-end removable partial dentures were positioned on their own models. 6kg force was laded on the every removable partial dentures of the epoxy model on the central fossa of mandibular left 1st molar vertically by the loading device. After the stress was frozen in a stress freezing furnace, 6 specimens of 6-mm thickness were made from every epoxy model and examined with the circular polariscope. @ES The results were as follows: @EN 1. Generally I-bar clasp revealed the most favorable stress distribution around the abutment teeth. 2. At the end portion of the free-end ridge, back action clasp showed the highest stress concentration at the bucco-lingual and top portions of the residual alveolar ridge. 3. At the distal area of the abutment teeth, Akers clasp and Roach clasp showed higher stress concentration bucco-lingually and apically than the others. 4. To the abutment tooth, I-bar clasp showed the least stress distribution bucco-lingually but the others showed irregular stress distribution. 5. At the mesial area of the abutment teeth, the order of effective stress distribution was I-bar clasp, Back-action clasp, Akers clasp and Roach clasp. There was big difference of stress distribution between them. 6. At the right 2nd premolar and 1st molar, the stress concentration of Akers clasp was a little high but that of I-bar clasp was low.
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