How to Fabricate An Acrylic Resin RPD With Tooth-Shaded Clasps

By LMT Communications, Inc.

Posted Aug 07, 2013 in Technical

While the Nesbit or unilateral/bilateral RPDs for temporary replacement of missing dentition have been around for many years, they've typically been made with nylon-based, acetal resin or wrought wire retention arms. However, little attention has been given to using tooth-colored acrylic for the clasps and pink PMM acrylic resin for the base, which renders a more esthetically appealing removable prosthesis.


Here's my technique for fabricating an all-acrylic, hi-impact, heat-cured Nesbit with tooth-shade clasps engineered to .01 retention. You can also use this technique to fabricate a multi-unit replacement, cross-arch acrylic partial that's retained in the same manner. 



  • Bead the master model.


  • Design the Nesbit and block it out to create a .01 retention ledge at the retentive tip of the clasp; everything else on the tooth is blocked out to .00. (Note: because of the .01 retention ledge, this prosthesis cannot be injected.)


  • Design...

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About The Author

  • LMT Communications, Inc.

    LMT Communications delivers the business strategies, information, dental laboratory news and education that dental laboratory decision-makers need to succeed. In Print. In Person. Online.

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