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| LETTER TO EDITOR |
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| Year : 2012 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 2 | Page : 145-146 |
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Acetal resin as an esthetic clasp material
E Prashanti
Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Melaka Manipal Medical College and Hospital, Melaka, Malaysia
| Date of Web Publication | 4-Sep-2012 |
Correspondence Address:
E Prashanti
Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Melaka Manipal Medical College and Hospital, Melaka
Malaysia
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2229-5194.100614
How to cite this article:
Prashanti E. Acetal resin as an esthetic clasp material. J Interdiscip Dentistry 2012;2:145-6 |
Dear Editor,
Acetal resins have opened a new avenue to improve the esthetics of removable partial dentures without compromising long-term stability of the denture clasp. The article "Acetal resin as an esthetic clasp material," [1] authored by Lekha et al. in the JID Jan-Apr 2012 issue, has elaborately covered the various aspects regarding the history of development and properties of acetal resins. However, I would like to add on a few aspects regarding acetal resins which might be useful to the readers.
Acetal resins are high-strength thermoplastic techno-polymers with a monomer-free crystalline structure. This material may be used in conjunction with acrylic denture base materials as clasps, lingual connectors or in conjunction with cast metal frameworks. Wide applications of these resins apart from being esthetic clasp material have been noted, some of which are to be used as swing lock type frameworks, bite openers, and in severe undercut situations. [2] This technology has also allowed the addition of flexible clasps to existing dentures when breakage of the current clasp has occurred or it becomes necessary to move the clasp to a new tooth due to tooth loss. [3] Pink acetal resin can be used to replace lost gingival tissue. [2]
The material is supplied as pharmaceutical grade tiny pellets that can be used with various commercial injection systems and is available in 16 Vita shades, 3 bleach shades, and 3 pink shades. [3]
The article "Clasp challenge," [3] published in Journal of Dental Technology August/September 2007, provides information on the method of adding a flexible acetal clasp to an existing partial denture and will be beneficial to the readers.
 References | |  |
| 1. | Lekha K, Savitha NP, Roseline M, Nadiger RK. Acetal resin as an esthetic clasp material. J Interdiscip Dent 2012;2:11-4. 
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| 2. | Chrome works Inc. Citing website. In: Resin. Available from http://chromeworksinc.com/technical/resin [Last accessed on 2012 June 20th].
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| 3. | Kurtzman GM, Ewoldsen N. The clasp challenge: Adding a flexible acetal clasp to an existing partial denture. J Dent Tech 2007;24:36-40.
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