Clinical study of the modified Equipoise clasp.

Abstract

The modified Equipoise clasp has been developed to overcome the negative aesthetics of anterior clasping. Fifteen patients involving twenty-two Equipoise clasps were followed up for retention, aesthetics and oral health. Examiners found that 36.4% of the clasps gave poor retention, 18.1% were reasonable and 45.5% were good. Aesthetics were 23.6% poor, 36.4% reasonable and 50% good. Oral health was 9.1% poor, 50% reasonable and 40.9% good. The patients reported that retention was 13.3% reasonable and 86.7% good. Twenty percent of the patients felt aesthetics were reasonable and 80% felt it was good. The clasps were reasonably comfortable in 13.3% and most comfortable in 86.7%. The Equipoise clasp can be used with success for, among others, the Kennedy Class IV case if the correct clinical and laboratory procedures are followed. However, it is unsuitable in, for example, a Class I dentition where posterior stability is poor. Its lingual window can adversely affect oral hygiene and careful patient selection is necessary.