Prosthodontics & Occlusion · patient case question
How far from the gingival margin should a maxillary major connector be positioned?
Patient case: Long-standing complete denture with ridge pain
Patient: Female, 74 years old
Chief Complaint: “The lower denture hurts on the right side, near the back corner of my lip.”
Background: The same mandibular complete denture has been worn for over fifteen years without relining.
Current Findings: Severe mandibular ridge resorption. The denture is markedly overextended relative to the resorbed ridge, and the fitting surface bears directly on a discrete area in the premolar region. Sharp, well-localised pain and some numbness of the lower lip on that side.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. 6 mm
- A. CORRECT. A maxillary major connector is kept at least 6 mm from the gingival margins of the remaining teeth. This clearance keeps the connector off the marginal gingiva, prevents plaque accumulation at a site the patient cannot clean, and avoids the gingival inflammation and recession that follow connector impingement.
- B. 8 mm is the minimum VERTICAL SPACE required to place a mandibular lingual bar, not the gingival clearance for a maxillary connector.
- C. 4 mm is insufficient clearance for a maxillary major connector.
- D. 2 mm is the mandibular figure — actually the mandibular lingual bar requires at least 3 mm of relief from the gingival margin, and at least 8 mm of vertical space in the lingual sulcus.
Note: Carry the three numbers separately: maxillary major connector 6 mm from gingival margins · mandibular lingual bar 3 mm of relief · 8 mm of vertical sulcus space needed to accommodate a lingual bar at all (otherwise use a lingual plate).
Practice Prosthodontics & Occlusion questions Prosthodontics & Occlusion study notes