Rests and Rest Seats

Rests are vital for removable partial dentures (RPDs) to perform their optimal function. In addition to their several advantages described in this chapter, their most important benefits are preventing the RPD movement toward the tissue and transmitting the occlusal forces in a way that will not harm the abutment teeth. Their proper function can only be achieved if they seat on the well-prepared rest seats. Unfortunately, rest seat preparation is overlooked by many dentists and the size and shape of the preparations show variety even between prosthodontists. In this chapter, different forms of the rests, their appropriate rest seat preparations, and bonded rest seats are described along with the necessary equipment.