Kratochvil’s Fundamentals of Removable Partial Dentures

A Comprehensive Guide to Functional and Esthetic RPD Frameworks
Hardcover

In the 1960s, Professor F. J. Kratochvil revolutionized removable partial denture (RPD) design with the development of the RPI system—a clasp assembly comprising a Rest, Proximal plate, and I-bar retainer. Grounded in sound biomechanical principles, this approach has become a global standard in RPD design. This definitive textbook provides a deep dive into the biomechanics, design strategies, and clinical application of modern RPDs, both analog and digital.

With a balance of foundational science and real-world application, the book equips dental students, prosthodontic residents, and general practitioners to confidently design, fabricate, and deliver biomechanically sound and esthetically refined RPD frameworks for a wide variety of clinical scenarios—including complex cases involving maxillofacial defects, rotational paths, and implant-retained overdentures.

Key Features:

• In-depth exploration of the RPI system, including its biomechanical basis and global impact

• Step-by-step design principles for both maxillary and mandibular partial dentures

• Surveying techniques and treatment positioning to maximize prosthesis success

• Digital design and CAD/CAM integration for modern RPD manufacturing

• Specialized chapters on esthetics, attachments, surveyed crowns, overlay dentures, and altered cast techniques

• Case-based illustrations and an illustrated glossary to support clinical understanding and communication

• Comprehensive workflow: From diagnosis and impressions to insertion, maintenance, and long-term follow-up

Contents Overview:

1. Introduction to Removable Partial Dentures

2. Rests and Their Functions

3. Tooth-Tissue Junction and Proximal Plate Design

4. Connectors and Base Elements

5. Retainers, Clasp Assemblies, and Indirect Retainers

6. Types of RPDs, Biomechanics, and Design Principles

7. Maxillary and Mandibular Design Sequences

8. Surveying and Treatment Positioning

9. Diagnosis, Planning, and Tooth Preparation

10. Impression Techniques and Lab Instructions

11. Digital Design and Framework Manufacturing

12. Physiologic Adjustment and Altered Cast Impressions

13. Occlusion and Records for RPDs

14. Esthetic Enhancements: Attachments and Rotational Paths

15. Combined Fixed-Removable Cases

16. Overlay RPDs Using Roots or Implants

17. RPI System for Maxillofacial Defect Rehabilitation

18. Treatment RPDs for Transitional Care

19. Clinical Insertion and Maintenance

20. Appointment and Procedural Sequence

Ideal For:
Dental students, prosthodontic residents, and clinicians seeking a biomechanically driven, esthetically conscious, and digitally integrated approach to partial denture design.