Different Materials Used as Denture Retainers and Their Colour Stability

BACKGROUND: Retainers are of great importance for the longevity of the prosthetic removable partial denture during various functions especially the esthetic one. The key of successful clasp selection is to select a direct retainer that will control tipping and torquing forces on the abutment teeth, provide retention against reasonable dislodging forces and are compatible with both tooth and tissue contour together with the aesthetic desire of the patient. AIM: This study aims to compare different clasp material to enhance the choice of the clasp based on the aesthetic point of view. METHODS: The colour evaluation of the tested materials had been evaluated by computer aided technique with digital camera with 3 Mega Pixels of resolution. RESULTS: In the current research, the technique of colour evaluation was carried out to compare different clasp materials to enhance the choice of the clasp based on the aesthetic point of view. Most commonly, Removable Partial Denture (RPD) retainers are fabricated identically from the metal framework’s alloy as Cobalt Chromium (CoCr) alloy although it is unaesthetic. This esthetic problem has been overcome by other methods and by utilising different materials, these included covering the retainers with tooth-coloured acrylic resin, as well as the introduction of esthetic materials as; Thermoplastic Acetal, Versacryl, and Thermopress. CONCLUSION: It has been concluded that the non-metallic Acetal resin clasp shows superior physical properties regarding colour stability.