Partial Denture Clasps

About clasps

A preformed clasp is built into an appliance such as a partial denture and helps stabilize it by fastening it to an adjacent tooth. A circumferential clasp encircles a tooth by more than 180 degrees.

The part that grips the tooth; when overloaded, cast clasps tend to break and the more flexible wrought ones to deform.

Sources: FDA 21 CFR 872.3285, Preformed clasp · The Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms, 9th edition (J Prosthet Dent 2017) · Owen & Naidoo 2022, Guidelines for the choice of circumferential wrought wire and cast clasp arms for removable partial dentures (Int Dent J)