DENTAL

SECTION

TECHNOLOGY

EDITORS

DANIEL

H. GEHL

KENNETH

The cast round

D. RUDD

RPA clasp

Donald R. Nelson, D.D.S.,* Ann Sue von Gonten, D.D.S.,**

Thomas W. Kelly, Jr., D.D.S., M.S.***
University of North Carolina,
Fayetteviile, N. C.

and

School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, N. C., and Veterans Administration

Medical

Center,

he rest, proximal plate, Akers (RPA) claspassembly

as described by Krol and Elaison is ideally used in
situations not amenableto the rest, proximal plate, I-bar
(RPI) claspingsystem.When it is properly designedand
fabricated, the RPA clasp, like the RPI clasp,, will
release from the terminal abutment when an occlusal
load is applied to the distal extension denture base.The
successof the RPA clasp assemblyis dependenton the
exact positioning of the Akers clasp on the terminal
abutment in relation to the survey line (Fig. 1). However, the preciseplacement of the clasp during fabrication
of the removable partial denture framework is difficult
and can result in malpositioning that will comprise the
function of the RPA clasp (Fig. 2).
This article describesthe incorporation of a cast round
Akers claspinto the RPA concept sothat it will facilitate
the accurate positioning of the clasp arm.
CAST ROUND

CLASP

Use of a cast round clasp rather than the conventional

half-round clasp eliminates the need for blockout on the
buccal surface of the abutment tooth on the master cast
(Fig. 3). An additional advantage offered by the cast
round clasp is its flexibility. Frank et aL5 indicate that
the 19-gaugecast round clasp is similar in flexibility to
an 18-gaugewire. In addition, the cast round clasp, like
the wrought wire clasp, can flex in all spatial planes.
This desirablefeature allows a more effective dissipation
of torquing forceson vulnerable terminal abutment teeth
in distal extension removable partial dentures. The
gauge of the cast round clasp is dependent on the
physical properties of the metal as well as the size and
quality of support of the abutment. The retentive
segmentof the clasp arm ideally engagesan undercut of
0.01 to 0.02 inch.
LABORATORY

Fig. 1. A, Initial two thirds of clasp arm contacts survey line only at superior border. Terminal third of clasp
arm is positioned below survey line in appropriate
undercut.
B, To ensure that conventional
half-round
clasp releases from terminal abutment when distal
extension base is loaded, initial two-thirds must be
blocked out.

PROCEDURES

1. Survey the master cast and identify the appropriate

undercuts on the abutment teeth.
Blockout on mastercast is required from survey

Fig.

2.

line

to gingival

margin

in initial

two-thirds

of cast.

After duplication and production of refractory cast,

exact location of survey line is obscured, which makes
accurate clasp placement difficult.
THE

[OURNAt

OF PROSTHETIC

DENTISTRY

307

Fig. 3. Round clasp makes only line contact with tooth

surface to facilitate release from abutment tooth under
occlusal loading
and eliminate
need for blockout
on
occlusal surface.
Fig. 6. Survey line placed on facial surtacc of termtnri
abutment acts as guide for precise placement of rrjund
clasp.

Fig. 4. Tripod
with undercut

marks are scored into master cast (arrow)

gauge.
Fig. 7.
directly
located
0.5 mm
polishing.

Initial two thirds of round clasp is positioned

on height of contour. Terminal third of clasp is
in appropriate
retentive
undercut.
Additional
of wax is allowed
at tip for finishing
and.

widely separated places on the tissue surface of the

master cast in the samehorizontal plane (Fig. 5).
4. Duplicate the master cast with reversible hydro
colloid to produce the refractory cast.
5. Dip the refractory cast in molten beeswax and
allow it to dry. The beeswax toughens the surface to
resist abrasion
Fig. 5. Tripod
marks are readily visualized
plane when placed on tissue surface of cast.

in

one

2. Blockout all undesirableundercuts. No blockout is

necessaryon the facial surface of the terminal abutment.
3. Tripod the master cast. Scribe the tripod marks
into the cast to ensure their reproduction on the refractory cast (Fig. 4). Position the tripod marks in three
308

and aids the adherence

of wax patterns

to

the refractory cast.

6. Identify the three widely spaced, scribed tripod
marks and return the refractory cast to the original tilt in
the survey table. Survey the facial surface of the abutment teeth to receive the RPA claspusing a soft 6B lead
(Fig. G). Although the surface of the refractory cast is
it is still subject to
strengthened by dipping in beeswax
abrasion if more than light pressure is used during
surveying.
7. Wax-up the removable partial denture framework
with the exception of the RPA clasp.
AtxxJ!51

1985

VOLUMt

54

NUMBER

CAST

ROUND

RPA

CLASP

Fig. 8. Distortion
and weakening
of clasp must be
avoided by careful handling
and attachment (arrows) to
framework
in proper location.

Fig. 9. Return finished framework

evaluation
of fit and contour.

8. Place the round wax pattern for the RPA claspon

the refractory cast in proper relation to the survey line
(Fig. 7). Caution must be exercisedto avoid flattening of
the clasp. Apply a light coat of adhesiveliquid (Ti-Seal,
Ticonium Company, Div. of CMP Industries, Inc.,
Albany, N. Y.) to the clasp pattern to aid in adaptation
without pattern distortion.
9. Attach the round clasp pattern to the framework
wax-up with a hot instrument. Wax patterns, unlike
plastic patterns, are easily distorted when heat is
applied.5A nonuniform diameter introducesthe possibility of clasp breakage. To avoid this problem, attach the
round wax clasp pattern beyond its initial point of
flexure at the baseof the guide plane rather than at the
clasp arm-guide plane junction (Fig. 8).
10. Invest, burnout, and castthe completedremovable
partial denture framework wax-up according to manufacturers recommendations.

round clasp eliminatesthe needfor blockout of the facial

aspectof the terminal abutment normally required with
the half-round clasp. This technique includes surveying
the refractory cast, which ensuresoptimal placement of
the round clasp in relation to the height of contour.

to master

cast for

REFERENCES

Finishing
1. Avoid the production of flat surfaces when finishing the round clasp (Fig. 9).
2. Finish and contour the terminal portion without
shortening the clasp beyond its intended length.
3. Do not overfinish and weaken the shoulder of the
clasp as it arisesfrom the minor connector.

SUMMARY
The incorporation of a cast round clasp into the RPA
designhas beenpresented.When properly used,the cast

THE

JOURNAL

OF PROSTHETIC

DENTISTRY

309