Fixed partial dentures

Surveyed crowns

Hubert T. Chandler, D.D.S.,* James S. Brudvik, D.D.S.,** and

William T. Fisher, D.D.S.***
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Regional Dental Actiuity,
Washington., D. C.

lh is article outlines the proper design, prescription method, materials selection,

and fabrication of full and partial crowns which serve to support extracoronal clasp-
type removable partial dentures. In the following discussion, single crowns and fixed
partial denture retainer crowns used to support clasp-type removable partial dentures
will be referred to as surveyed crowns.
The method of choice involves the preparation of the natural crown of the
selected abutment to conform to the dictates of extracoronal clasps. An alternate
method involves the fabrication of a crown to provide preplanned rests, axial sur-
faces, guiding planes, and retentive areas to support and retain an extracoronal
direct retainer clasp of a removable partial denture. A surveyed crown is used:
( 1) when it is necessary to restore a broken-down tooth to serve as a removable
partial denture abutment; (2) w h en a natural tooth crown to be used as a removable
partial denture abutment cannot be altered to provide (a) a desired path of insertion,
(b) a retentive area, (c) favorable contour, i.e., guiding planes and reciprocal clasp
areas. (d) rests in desired areas, or (e) a favorable occlusal relationship; and (3)
Lvhen it is necessary to splint adjacent teeth to provide additional stabilization.l-

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Selection of materials

Where possible, the more conservative partial veneer crown, rather than a com-
plete crown, should be used. A gold inlay, onlay, three-quarter crown, or pinlay is
constructed of the appropriate type II, III, or IV gold and contoured in the general
manner described here. If a complete crown without an esthetic veneer is used,
type III gold is the material to be used. If a complete crown with an esthetic veneer

*Colonel, DC, USA.

**Lieutenant Colonel, DC, USA.
***Colonel, DC, USA (Ret.).
775
776 Chandler, Brudvik, and Fisher .1. irrxthet. Ik..
November. 19~:

Fig. 1. Cross section of an abutment tooth showing the proper inclination of the I a\r s>cclusai
rest. The angle (A) must be rounded.

is indicated, porcelain fused to metal is the materi,ll d choice, because por(elaill ii

more esthetic and durable than plastic.:,

Crown design

; 1 1 Preparation of the proximal guiding plane for hurveytd crowns is influencc,c!

by partial denture classification. Kennedys Class III and Class IV dictate gttidiys
planes of maximum occlusogingival length. These surfaces prescribe a positivrx path
of insertion and removal which gives a precise fit and reduces the number of rtbtrn-
ti\sr clasps required. These planes should (a) be straight occlusocervically;I t,b : 11~s
curved buccolingually, ic) includr at least t\jo thirds of the proximal surfaces, and
(d) be parallel to the selected path of insertion. Adequate protection for gingival
tissue \\ill be provided by hlockout of the gin+\-al third of the tooth.
The angle formed by.the junction of the occlusal rest and guiding plant should
be rounded. since a sharp angle is an extremely difficult one on which to cast and
 Surveyed crowns 777

Fig. 6. Lingual view of crowns with ledges.

Fig. 7. Occlusal view of crowns with ledges.
Fig. 8. An anterior cmwn with a lingual rest.

is a major source of framework seating difficulties (Fig. I). In the Class I and II
removable partial denture situations, the guiding planes should be reduced occluso-
cer\Gzally and should provide a greater degree of taper to allow for the inevitable
movement of the prosthesis. Proximal plane surfaces, straight occlusocervically and
curved buccolingually and no more than one half the occlusogingival length, with
up to 5 per cent divergence, are indicated.4 These tapered planes will define the
path of insertion and removal but avoid the gripping effect that can result in
undesirable torquing forces on abutment teeth. The area for the reciprocal clasp
should be considered an integral extension of the guiding plane surface for the minor
connector, allowing for a smooth transition from connector to clasp. The reciprocal
clasp resists pressures of the retentive clasp, and every attempt should be made to
place the reciprocal clasp in the gingival third of the crown in the same horizontal
plane as that of the retentive clasp.
When a lingual plate is used for a major connector, it serves as the bracing por-
tion of the clasp unit. The lingual contour should be as nearly parallel as possible
with the chosen path of insertion and other guiding plane surfaces in all completely
tooth-borne removable partial dentures. When distal extensions are considered, al-
lo\vanccs for denture movement in function require a degree of taper to the recipro-
catin,g areas, as on guiding plane surfaces.
12) Occlusal rests on posterior restorations should be broad facially and lingually,
should encompass a third to half of the occlusal width (Fig. 2)) and should be
round and concave to simulate a ball-and-socket effect. The rest should be inclined
toward the center of the tooth to transmit forces along the long axis of the abutment
(Fig. 1) and should adequately clear the opposing dentition to allow at least 1 mm.
of metal rest thickness.
If the selected abutment tooth has a tooth adjacent to the planned rest area,
778 Chandler, Brudvik, and Fisher

Fig. 9. An over-contoured lingual rest with a large space ginqival to the rest.
Fig. 10. A properly contoured lingual rest.
Fig. Il. A normal vertical overlap that would permit USC r)t a lingual rest <,I> thr maxillar.
anterior teeth.
Fig. 12. An excessive vertical ovrrlap of anterior teeth that \suuld preclude thy USC: 11 a iinqt,~~
rest.

it is necessar); to f&e the occlusal rest to provide roonr for adequate thickness of t!it
retentive and reciprocal clasp arms in the areas ~~herc Illey join th? oc( ius::l Ii4
(Fig. 3 ) If provision is not made for proper thickness, the result will l?r, ;L u ea!
clasp which is prone to fracture (Figs. 4 and 5;.
(3) When a complete crown is constructed for a completely tooth-borne I( -
movable partial denture, it is possible to alter the crolvn contour with <i ledge 2;:
that guiding planes, rests. and reciprocal clasp :u 111s become extensiorls S;
the natural contour of the crown. This type d clasf~ provides masirnurrr guiding3
planes with little possibility of motion; therefore, it sftould not he uscti on ;t ciist:r!-
extension partial denture.
The ledge to receive the reciprocal clasp arm and interproximal guidirlq pia~t~
should be located at the junction of the middle and gingival thirds of thll clinical
crown and shaped so that the resulting reciprocal clasp arm will he hroari ad flai
and \\ill complete the natural contour of the tooth (Figs. 6 and 7 ; 1 i~c> rtkc.il)roc;;
clasp arm and interproximal guiding plane provide risid vertical suj;por:. 11 ;\ III\-
necessary to provide an additional occlusal rest. This type of crown reqtrire~ exterrsivf.
tooth preparation of the ledge area to provide space lor crown and cI;rip thicknc+~
within the natural contour of the tooth.
(4) Lingual rests, rather than incisal rests. shorrlci al\rays hc IWCI on :mterini-
crown restorations. The lever arm is reduced in length, and less torcllling strt*s~ 5.
transmitted to the tooth.
The rest should be saddle-shaped and round to prr\ent locking I Fig. ii anti
placed so that, when the removable partial denture rest is in position. the riatur;tI
contour of the tooth is restored. A common error in designing this rest is o\-ercon-
touring the lingual surface (Figs. 9 and IO) causing an undercut whirh must bl;
blocked out during denture framework fabrication.
(5) ,4n excessive vertical overlap of the maxillary anterior teeth (Figs. I I and I L
may preclude a lingual rest on the abutment adjacent to the edentulous area anti
necessitate the design of a proximal-rest recess area (Fig. 13) . This is a shallo\\
 Surveyed crowns 779

0 13

Fiz. 13. A desirable survey line for use with bar clasps or circumfermtial clasps.
Fig. 14. ,4 lingual view of a proximal rest on an anterior crown.

concave rest placed cervically and in a proximal area where occlusal interference will
not occur. The rest does not center the transmitted forces along the long axis of the
tooth as well as does the lingual rest.
(6) When a conservative restoration is used, the clasp retentive area is located
on natural tooth structure. If a complete crown is used, the retention is placed on
metal or porcelain in a precisely planned surface and at the exact depth dictated
by the type of clasp to be used. The undercut required for a retentive clasp is 0.01 to
0.02 inch. Retention should not be placed on an acrylic resin veneer, since abrasion
of the veneer may result in a loss of retention of the prosthesis.: If the crown is in
normal vertical alignment, it is possible to create the precise natural height of con-
tour (Fig. 1-t) which will providr adecjuate retention for bar and circumferential
clasps. The survey line should parallel the crest of the gingiva at a distance of 2 to
B mm. When root structure is exposed or crown aligmnent is not normal, the survey
line must be altered to satisfy existing conditions.

Prescribing surveyed crowns

\\:hen prescribing a surveyed crown, it is necessary to give detailed instructions

to the technician. The written bvork authorization should include the following:
i 1 ) materials to be used for crown construction, (2) shade selection (if indicated I,
! 3 ) location of rests and guiding planes, (4) location and depth of planned retentk
areas. (5) selected path of insertion (tripoding), (6) special instructions (type of
margins and the like), and (7) d Ia g ram of the removable partial denture design.
The diagram ensures the technicians understanding of the dentists future
l)lans.

SUMMARY

This article has described the indications for use, selection of materials, design,
and prescription standards of crowns which will be used to support and retain extra-
coronal clasp-type removable partial dentures.
References

I. Johnston, J. F., Phillips, R. W., and Dykema, R. I%.: Modern Practicr. ~1, (01 w: XI)
Bridge Prosthodontics, ed. 3, Philadelphia, 1971, LV. R. Saunders Company.
2. Dykema, R. W., Cunningham, D. M., and Johnston. J. l-.: Modwn Practicv ~11 lir~rri~,~.cti~~
Partial Prosthodontics, ed. 1, Philadelphia, 1969, the T\. B. Saunders Comp~!l!
3. Henderson, D., and Steffel, \-. L.: McCrackws Pa&i. 1 Denture (:c~nhtruc.li~~i;, I~<. I, i
Louis, 1969, The C. V. Mosby Company.
4. Johnston, J. F.: Preparation of Mouths for Fix~l :~t:tl Krm~~vablc Iartia: ij~~:lr u:v\. i
PROSTHET. DENT. 11: 4.56-462, 1961.
5. Jordan, L. C.: Designing Removable Partial Drnturrs Kitli Extrarna! Attachnlc~nt\ i (:laa!>:
J. PROSTHET. DENT. 2: 716-722, 1952.

DK. CHANULEK
Box 207 STUDENT DETACHMF.KT
IJNITED STATES ARMY WAR COLLEGE
CARLISLE BARRACKS. PA. 17013

DR. BRUI>YIK
DIRECTOR, NONRESIIIENT HEALTX EIWCATIOK
WILLIS HALL, RM. 0201
ACADEMY OF HE.~LTH SCIENCES (UNITED STATES AR&IV j
FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS 78234

DR. FISHER
5344 Coco.4 CT.
CAPE CORAL. FLA. 33904