RPI and RPA Concept

By Dr Anshuman
Chaturvedi
MDS IInd Year

Introduction
A wide variety of clasp assemblies are available

for clinicians to use.

This variety exists because of the imagination of
clinicians
and
technicians
who
provided
prosthesis when tooth modification was not or
could not be provided.
Clasps were designed to accommodate distal
extension functional movement
and also
without movement .
These categories are not mutually exclusive
because any clasp assembly is used to retain
and maintain a well supported prosthesis.

 Direct

retainer is any unit of a removable dental

prosthesis that engages an abutment tooth to resist
displacement of the prosthesis away from basal seat
tissue.
Types of direct retainer
Intracoronal - Precision attachment
Extracoronal - Clasp type
Function of a clasp support
stabilization
reciprocation
retention
movement of abutment tooth.
Clasp design
Circumferential clasp arm approaches the retentive
undercut from occlusal direction.
Bar clasp arm approaches the retentive undercut from
cervical direction

Ibar rem ovable partialdenture

The I-bar removable partial denture design,

introduced by Kratochvil in 1963 has achieved

considerable status as a treatment modality.
The mechanical approach proposed by him

in the design concept of the I-bar has

encouraged others to apply sound engineering
principles in challenging the design.
As a result, the design has been subjected to

a thorough evaluation, & in the process, several

modifications have been suggested.

D iff
erence betw een I-bar and I-clasp
I-CLASP
The I-clasp is an extracoronal retainer that is
occasionally used on the distobuccal surface of
the maxillary canines for aesthetic reasons .
There is definite danger involved in using this clasp
because the only contact of the retentive clasp with
the tooth is the tip of the clasp, an area of 2-3 mm.
Encirclement
&
horizontal
stabilization
are
compromised.
There must always be a posterior abutment tooth
for this clasp to be successful.

I-BAR
The I-bar is a component part of a partial denture
design philosophy, the rest, proximal plate, I-bar
retentive clasp (RPI) concept.
It differs from the I-clasp in position on the
abutment tooth that retentive undercut is selected.
I-bar retention is normally near the centre of the
facial surface of the tooth or on the mesiobuccal
side .

RPIsystem

RPI stands for:

occlusal rest (R)
distal guide plate (P)
gingivally approaching I bar (I)

Mesial

Distal

The RPI is a current concept of bar clasp design that

refers to the rest, proximal plate and I-bar
component parts of the clasp assembly .
Clasp assembly consists of a mesio occlussal rest
and minor connector placed in the mesio-lingual
embrasure and not contacting the adjacent tooth.

A distal guiding plane extending from the marginal

ridge to the junction of the middle and gingival third
of the abutment tooth is prepared to receive the
proximal plate

Bucco-lingual width of guiding plane determined by

proximal contour of tooth. The proximal plate and
minor connector supporting the rest provide the
stabilizing and reciprocal action of the clasp assembly.

I-bar located on the gingival third of buccal/labial

surface of abutment in 0.001 inch undercut.Arm of Ibar tapered to its terminus with 2mm of tip contacting
the tooth.

The retentive tip contacts the tooth from undercut

to height of contour .
Area of contact along rest and proximal plate
provide stabilization through encirclement.
Three basic approaches to the application of
RPI system
Location of rest .
Design of minor connector (proximal plate) as it

relates to guiding plane .

Location of retentive arm.

Rests
Function
Vertical support against occlusal forces
Control relationship of prosthesis to supporting
structures
Rests must be of Sufficient bulk to withstand direct
occlusal forces and indirect forces since they are
subjected to as fulcrum points in distal extension .

Rest preparations are less extensive in

the RPI system.
Always located on the mesial aspect of
the primary abutment tooth adjacent to
edentulous area.
The mesial rest extends only in the
triangular fossa, even in the molars, &
canine rests are often circular concave
depressions in the mesial marginal ridge or
cingulum rests.

For distal extension base partial

dentures, the mesial rest in the posterior
teeth can be prepared in the appropriate
triangular fossa with a No. 6 carbide bur or
diamond stone. The marginal ridge must be
lowered about 1.5 mm & the preparation
must have the deepest portion in the centre
of the triangular fossa. The preparation
should be rounded & fully polished to
permit some rotation when depression of
the extension base occurs.

For cuspids that serve as abutments,

a mesiolingual rest is made. The rest seat
must be deep enough to prevent the metal
rest from slipping gingivally. As a general
rule, mandibular cuspids have a thin enamel
& penetration into dentin is inevitable during
rest seat preparation. If dentin is exposed,
the preparation should be deepened &
modified to accept an amalgam or other
restoration which can be properly contoured.

PROXIMAL PLATES
Parallel guide planes are prepared on all proximal
surfaces adjacent to the edentulous spaces.
Proximal plate covers the guide plane from marginal
ridge to the tooth - tissue junction and extends onto
the attached gingiva for 2 mm .
One approach recommends guiding plane and
proximal plate should extend the entire length of
proximal tooth surface with physiologic tissue relief
eliminating impingement on free gingival margin .

Second approach suggests guiding plane and

proximal plate extends from marginal ride to
junction of middle and gingival third on proximal
surface .

Third approach , the superior

edge of the proximal plate is
located close to the bottom of
the prepared guide plane
which should be at the
junction of occlusal one-third &
middle one-third of the tooth.
The proximal plate contacts
only 1mm of the gingival
portion of the guide plane
while the remainder of the
proximal plate lies below the
guide plane.

The
proximal
plate
extends
lingually just far enough so that
the distance between the minor
connector & the proximal plate is
less than the mesiodistal width of
the tooth. The distance between
the proximal plate & the mesial
minor connector should be no less
than 5 mm. (prevent lingual
migration of the tooth).
It should be 1 mm thick & join the
framework at a right angle. At the
junction with the framework, the
proximal plate is relieved so as not
to contact the gingiva & is highly
polished. A finish line is placed at
the base of the proximal plate to

Mouth
preparation
guide planes

for

A guide plane is prepared on

the distal
surface
of the
abutment tooth at the occlusal
one-third as proposed by Potter
et al.
The guide plane should be
approximately 2 to 3 mm high
occlusogingivally.
This guide plane will often
permit the proximal plate & the
mesial minor connector to
contact the tooth simultaneously
& reciprocate the force exerted
by the retentive buccal clasp
arm during the seating & the
removal of the denture.

The minor connector

carrying the mesial rest
contacts
the
mesiolingual surface of
the abutment tooth
and, together with the
distal plate, acts as a
reciprocal for the tip of
the
retentive
clasp
which is positioned on
or anterior to the
midpoint of the buccal
surface of the tooth.

If the mesial minor connector

& the proximal plate cannot
contact simultaneously, as may
occur with cuspid abutments,
then the retentive I-bar should
engage
the
mesiobuccal
undercut
&
receive
its
reciprocation from the proximal
plate alone.

Proximal plate serves the following

functions :
Provides horizontal stability.
Reunites & stabilizes the arch.
Increases retention because of parallelism & because
dislodgement is limited to the path of insertion.
Protects the tooth-tissue junction by preventing food
impaction & because of metal coverage in this area.
Control against ridge crest gingival hyperplasia.
Provides reciprocation.
Distributes occlusal force throughout the arch.

The proximal plate can also

provide a certain degree of
retention by mean of friction
(without engaging an undercut).
These plates are also a major
component
determining
the
path of insertion, and giving the
clasps their effectiveness in the
undercuts they engage.

I-BAR
The I-bar is an extracoronal, infrabulge retainer with
a configuration designed to minimize the deleterious
effects that over contoured retainers have on the
health of the tooth & the gingiva. The arm is long &
tapering with a half round cross-section.

The approach arm of the I-bar extends

from the framework so as to remain at
least 3 mm from the gingival margin &
then crosses the gingival margin at right
angles.
Approximately 2mm of the I-bar
contacts the tooth surface, usually at
the gingival one-third of the tooth.
The bottom portion of the I-bar
contacting the tooth surface should
engage 0.01 inch undercut.

The I-bar should taper slightly from the base

to the tip .
The I-bar is usually placed at the greatest
mesiodistal prominence on the buccal
surface or towards the mesial, but not
towards the distal.
This is necessary to permit movement of
the I-bar away from the entire buccal surface
in function.
When the I-bar is placed towards the
mesial, it has the advantage that when
properly adjusted, it brings the proximal plate

Shape of the retentive terminal maybe T , modified

T, I or Y
If a T-clasp is used, the metal framework rotates
around the mesial rest & the mesial part of the clasp
moves forward & slightly upward. It loses contact with
the tooth & causes no adverse forces.
The distal part of the clasp moves forward &
downward . This seems acceptable until an occlusal
view of the region is observed .
The distal part of the T-clasp wraps around the tooth.
Then, when the distal part moves forward, it engages
the distal curvature of the tooth & exerts a torque that
is detrimental to the periodontium.
The solution to the problem lies in the I-bar clasp with
its retentive tip at the point of greatest curvature of
the buccal surface of the tooth.

The RPI system is designed to

allow vertical rotation of a distal
extension saddle into the denturebearing mucosa under occlusal
loading.
As the saddle is pressed into the
denture-bearing mucosa, the
denture rotates about a point
close to the mesial rest.
Both the distal guide plate and
the I bar move (downward &
forward away from the tooth) and
disengage from the tooth surface.
Potentially harmful torque is thus
avoided.
When trying in the metal
framework, it is advisable to check
that it is able to rotate about the

This minimizes the denture caused

stresses on the abutment teeth,
without damaging the supporting
structures of the abutment tooth
particularly in cases with free end
saddle(s).
If the fulcrum is moved to the distal
surface of the tooth with the same
clasping situation above, the
movement of the clasp tip will be
upward & forward . It will engage
the tooth undercut & produce a
torque on the tooth.
The RPI system is normally used
with the skeletal design .The
skeletal design has very limited
coverage on the surfaces of the

The I bar is utilized to provide direct

retention and better aesthetics
because of its minute surface area
coverage.
If the clasp crosses the gingival
margin at a right angle (90), then
its interruption of that margin is
confined to a very small distance (12mm).
Added to that, the RPI system
places very little metal parts of the
denture on the abutment teeth
surfaces. This keeps the gingival
margins of the natural teeth
exposed to the self cleansing
actions of the tongue and saliva.

The mechanics of the RPI also aim to exert minimal

amount of torquing (tilting) forces on the abutment
teeth.

IN D ICATIO N S
Small degree of undercut (0.01 inch) exists in

cervical third of abutment tooth which can be

approached gingivally.
Used in tooth supported partial denture or tooth
supported modification area
Distal extension case.
Esthetics concern

ADVANTAGES OF THE I-BAR

Vertical forces on the distal extension base during
function cause both the I-bar & the proximal plate to
disengage the abutment & thereby reduce the
torquing of the tooth.

The mesial minor connector with the proximal plate

provides for reciprocation & eliminates the need
for a lingual arm.
An important but seldom mentioned advantage of
the RPI clasp is its avoidance of contact with the
lingual surface of the abutment tooth. Without a
lingual arm, the high survey line on the lingual
surface of many mandibular teeth is not a problem,
making this design useful for tooth supported as well
as distal extension removable partial dentures.

The mesial rest eliminates the potential pump

handle effect that a force on the base often
induces with a distal rest.
The RPI clasp contacts the tooth minimally &
is advantageously used on caries prone patients.
Usually more aesthetic than most other clasp
arms.

DISADVANTAGES & CONTRAINDICATIONS

OF THE I-BAR
Insufficient depth of the vestibule to permit the
approach arm of the I-bar to be located at least 3
mm from gingival margin.
A tooth with severe lingual tilt & no buccal or labial
tilt.

Tissue undercut so severe that the approach arm of

the I-bar acts as a food trap or irritates the mucosa
of the lip or cheek by being too far away from the
tissue.

LIMITATIONS OF THE RPI CLASP

Because the approach arm of the I-bar arises from
the framework well back from the tooth to protect
the gingival tissue, in some instances a long &
correspondingly flexible retentive arm results &
expected retention is not obtained.
On recall examination, clasp arms are sometimes
found to be distorted & permanently sprung away
from the tooth. To avoid this, the first part of the
clasp coming from the framework must be rigid &
thick, thus making it difficult to set teeth
aesthetically.

For some patients, the RPI denture is difficult to

manipulate as there is no convenient component to
grasp with the fingers for its removal. This can be a
real problem for patients with arthritis or other
physical disabilities.
When the tooth undercut is located close to the
gingival margin, it is difficult to approach gingivally
& avoid tissue impingement even with proper relief.
Patients who show a great deal of gingival tissue
when smiling may object to the appearance of the
RPI clasp & prefer the conventional clasps that they
are accustomed to.

MODIFICATIONS IN THE RPI CLASP

When two teeth are splinted, the mesial

rest is placed on the anterior tooth & the
proximal plate on the posterior tooth with the Ibar on the mesiobuccal surface of the posterior
tooth .
If a three unit fixed prosthesis is
constructed, the mesial rest is placed in the
anterior abutment & the proximal plate on the
posterior abutment with the I-bar on the
mesiobuccal surface of the posterior tooth.

In a distal extension partial denture where

an isolated tooth is involved, the RPI clasp may
be placed on the tooth anterior to the isolated tooth
& proximal plates on both the mesial & distal
surfaces of the isolated tooth with no rest . This
design permits removal of stress on the isolated
tooth.
It is important that the superior border of the
mesial proximal plate on the isolated tooth be
located at or gingival to the level of the occlusal
rest of the RPI clasp. The RPI clasp may be designed
not to release in function by extending the proximal
plate to contact the entire guide plane.
This may be used where it is desirable to load
the tooth more than the edentulous ridge.

RPA CLASP

The RPA clasp (rest, proximal plate, Akers clasp)

was developed by Dr. Charles A. Eliason & Dr.
Arthur J. Krol in 1970 at the University of the
Pacific School of Dentistry to overcome some of the
problems of the RPI clasp.
The RPA clasp was developed to deal with the
problems faced with the RPI clasp.
The mesial rest & the proximal plate are
designed identically to those of the RPI clasp.
The only difference lies in the retentive arm. An
Akers or circumferential clasp arm arises from the
superior portion of the proximal plate & extends
around the tooth to engage the mesial undercut.

retentive arm coming off the proximal plate above the

survey line & crossing the survey line in the middle of
the tooth to engage the undercut, then the vital
releasing capacity will be lost.
The rigid portion of the arm is not able to move
toward the gingiva, so the fulcrum point will in effect
be moved toward the distal surface of the tooth. The
components anterior to this fulcrum will now lift in
function.
When occlusal pressure is applied on the denture
bases, the mesial rest will move out of its seat, & the
retentive arm will engage the undercut, thus torquing
the tooth distally.
The design of the RPA clasp must avoid this
problem to be used successfully in distal extension

For the Akers arm of the RPA clasp, the distal

half of the facial surface of the abutment as well as
the surface under the guide plane are blocked out on
the cast.
When the Akers arm is waxed, the superior border of
the retentive arm is placed on the survey line from
the proximal plate to the middle of the tooth, where it
then drops down to engage the necessary undercut
(usually 0.01 inch) .
When the casting is made, the rigid portion of the
clasp arm will contact the tooth only along its
superior border at the level of the survey line.
When an occlusal load is applied to the denture
base, the retentive arm can move into the undercut
because of relief under its rigid section & release from
the abutment tooth .
With this special retentive design, the RPA clasp
provides essentially the same kind of tooth release

ADVANTAGES OF THE RPA CLASP OVER

THE RPI DESIGN
The circumferential type retainer is easier to grasp
for the removal of the prosthesis
The clasp is simple in design with few variations
among patients & can thus be easily & consistently
fabricated by dental laboratories.
The RPA clasp may be used in place of the RPI clasp
when there is insufficient depth in the buccal
vestibule or when the buccal tissue undercut is too
great.

RPH

RPH
The horizontal retentive arm as originally
described by Grasso has been used for many year
as an alternative to the above-mentioned clasp
assemblies for distal extension situations.
The original concept described by Grasso included
a distal occlusal rest, a vertical reciprocal arm, and
a horizontal retentive arm.
The modification of this design to incorporate only
the horizontal retentive arm into the RPI design
concept is the design advocated here of mesial
rest (R), proximal plate (P), and horizontal
retentive arm (HRPH).

The horizontal arm may be cast half round in

cross-section, cast round in cross-section, or
may be fabricated from wrought wire .
The practitioner may choose the retentive
arm with the desired flexibility for a specific
clinical situation.
If the amount of undercut available is
minimal, the cast half round or cast round
would be preferable.
An abutment tooth with a deep undercut in
the desired area for retention and esthetics
would be an indication for a more flexible
clasp (wrought wire).
Similarly, if the abutment tooth is narrow
mesiodistally, a wrought wire clasp would

RPH clasp assembly clinical occlusal

view.

Because the horizontal retentive arm

touches the abutment tooth only at its
retentive tip, it is by definition an
infrabulge type of retentive arm.
The horizontal retentive arm originates
from the retentive meshwork of the
framework and travels horizontally,
parallel to the plane of occlusion into
the retentive undercut of the abutment
tooth in a position at or mesial to the
height of contour of the abutment
tooth.

Schematic representation of relationship of

the horizontal
retentive arm to the abutment tooth. Facial
view.

Proposed advantages of the RPH design concept

include many of the advantages of the bar-type
retentive arm allowing for the use of a cast
retentive arm and retaining the potential stressbreaking concept of the RPI design.
The RPH design concept may be used in situations
that do not lend themselves to the use of a bartype infrabulge retainer.
The horizontal retentive arm may be used in
situations where there are severe soft tissue
undercuts, high-frenal attachments, and shallow
vestibular depth.
It may be used in situations where the survey line

It may also be a more esthetic retentive

component than the bar-type retentive arm
in situations with a high smile line with soft
tissue exposure

Bibliography
Mc cracken s Removable partial denture

prosthodontics .
Stewarts Clinical Removable Partial
Prosthodontics 3rd edition.
Nazarova E., Taylor T.D., The RPH Clasp
Assembly: A Simple Alternative to Traditional
Designs, Journal of Prosthodontics 2012:21,
331333

Thank

You