Removable Partial Denture Designing: Variation of Hard and Soft Tissue Anatomy and Maxillary Major Connector Selection

Removable partial denture (RPD) is one of the various treatment options available for the replacement of teeth for partially edentulous patients. The major connector of an RDP is the component that connects the different parts of the RPD as well as can achieve numerous functions and influence the success of RPD. The variety of anatomic considerations related to the shape of the palate and gingival conditions may affect selection of maxillary major connector. The objective of this review is to screen literature for data related to maxillary major connector and factors affecting its selection. Up to 2016, Database on Google scholar and PubMed were conducted using the keywords “RPD design; maxillary major connector; palatal contour; gingival and periodontal condition”. Conclusion, anatomy of the palate and different tissue conditions may affect the major connector selection, so the RPDs Designers should be familiar with those structures during major connector selection.