Clinical comparison of two mandibular major connector designs: the sublingual bar and the lingual plate.

Two mandibular removable partial dentures, one with a sublingual bar and one with a lingual plate as the major connector, were constructed for 10 patients. Both were made using the same impression and were identical except for the design of the major connector. The two major connector designs were evaluated by the patients at the conclusion of the study. Eight of the 10 patients preferred the lingual plate and nine of the 10 found both designs satisfactory. One patient indicated a strong preference for the sublingual bar over the lingual plate and another found both designs equally acceptable. We have concluded from the final data that the sublingual bar compares favorably with the lingual plate in patient acceptance and should be considered as a viable design alternative when a lingual plate is not indicated.