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Partial dentures with free end saddles, classified as K I and II present special design problems because of the different properties of tooth support and mucosa support. The main principle is that strait saddles are designed as tooth-born, however in curved saddles tooth and mucosa-born dentures are preferred. The article describes so called "altered cast" clinical and laboratory procedure which prevents rocking of the denture around the fulcrum line in patients with resilient alveolar ridge mucosa. Besides that some typical designs of partial dentures are presented.

Removable partial denture with a rigid metal construction meets the three main requirements of the up-to-date prosthodontics, i.e. properly directed chewing forces through accurate proprioceptive control of the masticatory muscles and preservation of the healthy periodontal tissues. Because of its flexibility the acrylic partial denture does not fulfill the above mentioned criteria so it can be, except in particular clinical indications, considered as a temporary and transitional prosthodontic treatment.

Direct retainers or clasps are the most demanding structural elements of the partial denture. Numerous clasps which are presented in the literature are divided into two main groups according to their design and function: clasps with occlusal approach (circumferential clasps) and clasps with gingival approach (vertical projection clasps). Number of clasps described in the article are satisfactory for creative design of all removable dentures in the partially edentolous mouth.

In comparison between acrylic and metal framework partial denture minor and reduced major connectors represent the main structural difference. Basic principles of design consider: an examination of the partially edentolous mouth, surveying of abutment teeth and analysing of forces, which act on the denture during its function. In the literature above all chewing (positive) forces and their leverage action upon partial denture are described. Beside positive, the article analyses also the problem of dislodging (negative) forces upon partial denture and design of stabilizing elements.