Allosteric nicotinic receptors, human pathologies

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical significance of major connectors and base mucosal contacts on the mechanical behaviour of maxillary removable partial dentures in vivo. Six subjects wearing maxillary dentures retained by conical crowns were selected for the study. Reflective photoelasticity and strain gauges were used to monitor the development of strain/stress during functional loading. Loading tests were performed initially with a denture design including a palatal major connector and denture bases and then repeated after removal of the major connectors and denture base alveolar muccosa contacts. The palatal major connector and the denture bases mucosal contacts contribute significantly to the rigidity and stability of removable partial dentures retained by conical crowns.