Introduction
When only a few teeth or roots remain, or implants are placed, bar and stud attachments let a denture rest on them for support, retention and stability, while the mucosa still carries part of the load.
Bar attachments
A metal bar is soldered or cast between two or more copings (crowns or root caps) or implant abutments. The denture holds a matching sleeve, clip or rider that snaps over the bar. Bars can be rigid (no movement: the denture is held firmly) or resilient (the denture can rotate or sink around the bar, sparing the abutments).
Design rules
- The bar is straight between abutments and as close to perpendicular to the line bisecting the arch as possible, so the denture can rotate evenly.
- Enough space under the bar to clean, without pressing on the mucosa.
- Enough vertical space in the denture for bar plus sleeve plus teeth: shape of the ridge and available room decide the bar shape.