Guide planes, rests, semi-precision or precision retainers can be mated to the clinical crowns to facilitate partial denture retention and stability.
The photo below details an 8-unit splint with three composite pontics fabricated chairside. The lingual metal structure has a continuous lingual shelf to carry a cast RPLD to prevent stripping of the lingual tissues which was aggressively deteriorating due to a previous acrylic partial denture without occlusal stops. This has served this patient for 11 years. The cost was very reasonable- the equivalent of one and a half full crowns, allowing her to continue to keep her dentition functioning.
