ABSTRACT
This study was performed to investigate the effects of tooth mobility and design of the direct retainer on the stress of supporting tissues in distal extension removable partial denture. Tooth mobility was simulated and four different types of direct retainer such as Akers clasp, I-bar clasp, wrought wire, and Dalbo attachment were designed and stress o the supporting tissues were measured and analyzed with straingauge method. The following conclusions were drawn from this study. 1. The stress revealed at the lingual side of alveolar bone of the abutment tooth in edentulous area was the largest. 2. The stress at the lingual side of alveolar bone of the abutment tooth in edentulous area was increased according to the increases of tooth mobility in I-bar clasp and Dalbo attachment. 3. The stress at the residual ridge crest was the great in Dalbo attachment on mobility 0, in I-bar clasp on mobility 1, and in wrought wire clasp on mobility 2. 4. There was little changes of stress according to the increase of tooth mobility at buccal and lingual side of the residual ridge crest and around the abutment teeth in dentulous area.