What are the advantages of using a gold wrought wire clasp on a removable denture?
The advantages of using a gold wrought clasp are flexibility, adjustability and appearance. However, to fully answer this question we must first look at what is expected from a clasp. A clasp has several parts that function together. Naturally, we expect it to have a resilient arm for retention, a non-resilient arm for reciprocation and a rest for support. Flexibility. In the resilient arm, the greater the average diameter of the clasp arm, the less flexible it will be. Since all cast clasps are essentially half round in shape (one flat side and one rounded side), they may flex away from the tooth. This flexure is limited and is most satisfactorily used on tooth-borne appliances. Flexibility may exist in any form, but the only universally flexible shape is round, which is practically impossible to cast. It is a given that a gold casting must have more bulk to equal the strength of a chrome casting. However, since the gold clasp was formed by being drawn into a wire, its arm is stronger
