Relationship Between Gold Alloy Clasp Retention and Depth of Abutment Undercut

Objective To study the relationship between the depth of abutment undercut and the retention of gold alloy clasp. Methods The Chatillon force measuring instrument was used to record the retention of gold alloy(casting) Akers clasps when they were dislodged from the undercuts of different depths(0.25 mm,0.375 mm,(0.50 mm) and 0.75 mm) on the premolar and molar.All data were analyzed by ANOVA. Results The deeper the undercuts,the greater the retention was.The retention of gold alloy clasp on the molar was greater than that on the premolar in the same condition of undercut. Conclusion Within the elastic limit of the material,the relation between the retention of gold alloy clasp and the depth of abutment undercut showed positive correlation.