Stress-equalizing removable partial denture.

Free-end removable partial dentures have long been considered a stepping stone between the patient's natural teeth and a complete denture. A direct, or Class I, lever allows stresses that will result in tissue resorption and eventual loss of the abutment teeth. An indirect, or back action, lever redirects the stresses to the long axis of the tooth. A design that utilizes these principles to prolong the life of the natural abutment teeth, the underlying tissue, and the removable partial denture is presented.