Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanically appropriate retainer design for unilateral distal-extension removable dentures.
Methods: Two models were constructed, each with a different design of retainer placed on the first and second mandibular premolars. Each model was composed of bone, denture underlying mucosa, retainer and denture base. In design A, Akers clasps were set on the first and second premolars, and in design B, an occlusal rest and back-action clasp with mesial rest were set on the first and second premolars, respectively. Loading on the occlusal surface of the denture was performed in the vertical and oblique directions. Load on the abutment tooth and displacement of the denture base were determined by 3-dimensional finite element analysis.
Results: Load on the abutment tooth in the vertical direction caused by vertical loading on the denture was lower in design B than in design A. No large difference in displacement of the denture base was observed between design A and B. Load on the abutment tooth both in the vertical and buccolingual direction induced by loading on the denture in the lingual and buccal directions was lower in design B than in design A. However, displacement of the denture base in the vertical and buccolingual directions induced by loading on the denture in the lingual direction was higher in design B than in design A.
Conclusion: In this study, displacement of the denture base was smaller in design A than in design B, so design A would be more useful clinically than design B, but the abutment tooth would require greater support.