For crowded and rotated mandibular anterior teeth, which major connector is preferred?

The preferred choice for crowded and rotated mandibular anterior teeth is the lingual plate. This option is advantageous because it provides a broad platform that can adapt to the anatomic contours of the floor of the mouth and the anterior teeth, allowing for more effective stabilization and retention of the removable partial denture.

The lingual plate also offers a greater surface area for the lateral forces that may act upon the partial denture, helping to distribute these forces more evenly than a lingual bar would. Moreover, in cases of rotated teeth, a lingual plate can provide support and coverage to these teeth, which helps to prevent further rotation and maintain their positions.

Using a lingual plate in a crowded situation can also facilitate easier adjustments and better accommodation to the crowded dentition, offering the clinician more flexibility during the design and construction phases. This results in a more functional and aesthetic outcome for the patient compared to other connectors, which may not provide the same level of support or adaptability to the unique challenges presented by crowded and rotated teeth.