| clasp | 1. A part of a removable partial denture that acts as a direct retainer and/or stabiliser for the denture by partially surrounding or contacting an abutment tooth. 2. A direct retainer of a removable partial denture, usually consisting of two arms joined by a body which connects with an occlusal rest; at least one arm of a clasp usually terminates in the infrabulge (gingival convergence) area of the tooth enclosed. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| clasp arm | A portion of a clasp of a removable partial denture which projects from the clasp body and helps retain the partial denture in position in the mouth. See: clasp. (05 Mar 2000) |
| clasp guideline | A line scribed on an abutment tooth of a dental cast by means of a dental surveyor indicating the height of contour of the tooth according to a specific path of insertion, a line which serves as a guide in the proper location of various parts of a clasp assembly for a removable partial denture. Synonym: clasp guideline, Cummer's guideline. (05 Mar 2000) |
| clasp-knife effect | Initial increased resistance to stretch of the extensor muscles of a joint that give way rather suddenly allowing the joint then to be easily flexed; the rigidity is due to an exaggeration of the stretch reflex. See: lengthening reaction. Synonym: clasp-knife effect, clasp-knife rigidity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| clasp-knife rigidity | Initial increased resistance to stretch of the extensor muscles of a joint that give way rather suddenly allowing the joint then to be easily flexed; the rigidity is due to an exaggeration of the stretch reflex. See: lengthening reaction. Synonym: clasp-knife effect, clasp-knife rigidity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| clasp-knife spasticity | Initial increased resistance to stretch of the extensor muscles of a joint that give way rather suddenly allowing the joint then to be easily flexed; the rigidity is due to an exaggeration of the stretch reflex. See: lengthening reaction. Synonym: clasp-knife effect, clasp-knife rigidity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| continuous clasp | A metal bar, usually resting on lingual surfaces of teeth, to aid in their stabilization and to act as indirect retainer's. Synonym: continuous clasp. (05 Mar 2000) |
| stabilizing circumferential clasp arm | An arm that is relatively rigid and embraces the height of contour of the tooth. (05 Mar 2000) |
| extended clasp | A clasp that extends from its minor connector along the lingual and/or facial surface of two or more teeth. (05 Mar 2000) |