Effects of repetitive insertion/removal and occlusal load on the retentive force of rest plate–I bar clasps made by selective laser melting

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of repetitive removal/insertion and a load equivalent to the occlusal force on the retentive force of rest plate-I bar (RPI) clasps fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) on powder bed fusion. RPI clasp fabricated by SLM and casting were evaluated to the retentive force by repetitive removal/insertion (SLM-RI and Cast-RI), and the retentive force of RPI clasp by SLM was also evaluated by repetitive removal/insertion under load (SLM-L). SLM-RI group was kept superior retentive force during repetitive removal/insertion than Cast-RI group. SLM-L group showed the decrease of retentive force, and all specimens fractured during less than 7,000 repetitive removal/insertion. In SLM-L, the fracture of RPI clasp occurred at minor connector due to stress concentration. In conclusion, the RPI clasp by SLM demonstrated the superior retentive force and fitting for repetitive removal/insertion, yet improvements were necessary to withstand a load equivalent to occlusal force.