retainer
The crown or inlay component of a fixed partial denture that is cemented to the prepared abutment tooth to anchor the bridge.
Full Definition
A retainer in dental laboratory parlance is the fixed prosthetic unit—usually a full-coverage crown or an onlay—that fits over a prepared tooth (the abutment) and supports the pontic of a bridge. It should not be confused with the orthodontic removable appliance of the same name. The retainer's margin design, wall height, and taper are specified on the laboratory prescription and directly influence the retention and resistance form of the finished prosthesis. Editors reviewing dental laboratory documents must note that 'retainer' here always refers to a fixed cast unit, not a removable device.
Usage
Usage note: Always clarify context when editing documents that reference both dental laboratory and orthodontic content, as 'retainer' carries distinct meanings in each discipline.
In Context
- "The technician noted that the mesial retainer lacked sufficient wall height for adequate retention of the three-unit bridge." — Laboratory Quality Control Report
- "Both retainers were waxed to full anatomical contour before the connector was completed." — Technical Work Instruction