The steps taken to fabricate a partial denture determine how well it fits, its stability, its effect on gum tissue and the health of the remaining teeth. Rests play an important role in each of these areas.
What is a Rest?
According to ToothIQ.com, an educational website funded by U.S. dentists, prior to taking impressions of your teeth to send to the dental lab for fabrication of the metal framework for your partial denture, your dentist makes rest preparations by drilling a small spoon-shaped depression into the top surface of each abutment tooth. An abutment is a tooth adjacent to a missing tooth: It serves as an anchor for your partial denture. The processed metal framework has small metal protrusions or rests jutting out. The rests settle snugly into the hollowed out areas of the abutment teeth. Metal rests follow the natural contour of the biting surfaces of your teeth, similar to a filling. They do not interfere with biting or chewing.
Stability
Rests and clasps, small hook-shaped wires incorporated into the partial denture framework, provide stability for your partial denture. An unstable denture places stress upon existing dentition, traumatizes the abutment teeth and contributes to future periodontal problems.
Support
The vertical or long axis of a tooth is the area that runs directly through its center from top to bottom. Multiple rests placed along the vertical axis of abutment teeth provide support by equalizing the stress placed upon the teeth during mastication. Rests prevent tipping and the eventual loosening of abutment teeth.
Tags: partial denture, abutment teeth, your partial, your partial denture, abutment tooth, metal framework, What Rest