Acetal resin as an esthetic clasp material

Abstract
Removable partial dentures (RPDs) are an effective and affordable treatment option for partial edentulism. Restoration of esthetics is an important function of RPD and it determines the success of the treatment. The goal of achieving optimal esthetics - while maintaining retentive integrity, stability, and protecting the health of the tooth - is the most difficult task. The traditional use of the metal clasp like cobalt chromium (Co-Cr), gold, stainless steel, and titanium hampers esthetics, since its obvious display conflicts with patient's prosthetic confidentiality. Acetal resin (polyoxymethylene or POM), a thermoplastic resin, may be used as an alternative denture clasp material. This material was promoted primarily on the basis of superior esthetics, which allowed the clasps to better match the color of abutment tooth. PubMed and Google Scholar were used to search original research articles, case reports, and other reviews about acetal resin. The keywords used were acetal resin, esthetic, clasp, removable partial denture, thermoplastic, metal free framework. This article is the result of a literature study on acetal resin clasp material for conventional RPD.