VSPM DENTAL COLLEGE AND

RESEARCH CENTER
DEPARTMENT OF PROSTHODONTICS

PONTICS IN
FIXED PARTIAL
DENTURE
Presented by:
JANHAVI GEDAM
ASHWINI DIXIT
(INTERN BATCH - D)
CONTENTS

• Definition
• Ideal requirements
• Classification of pontics
• Pontic design
• Factors influencing pontic design
• Conclusion
• Mcq’s
• Case presentation
• References
Pontics

• Definition: An artificial tooth on a fixed partial denture that

replaces the missing tooth restores its function and
usually fills the space previously filled by the natural
crown.
Ideal Requirements:

1. Restore function of the replaced tooth.

2. Provide aesthetics and comfort.
3. Should be biologically acceptable.
4. Permit effective oral hygiene.
5. Preserve the underlying residual ridge and mucosa.
6. Have adequate strength to withstand occlusal forces.
Classification of pontics
Pontics can be classified on the basis of mucosal contact, material used and method
of fabrication.
Mucosal contact
1. With mucosal contact
i. Ridge lap or saddle pontic
ii. Modified ridge lap
iii. Ovate pontic
iv. Conical pontic
2. Without mucosal contact
i. Sanitary/hygienic pontic
ii Modified sanitary pontic/perelpontic/arc-shapedFPD
Material used
1. All metal pontics
2. All ceramic pontics
3. Metal-ceramic pontics
4. Metal with resin facing pontics
5. Fibre-reinforced composite pontics

Method of fabrication
1. Custom-made pontics
2. Prefabricated pontics
WITH MUCOSAL CONTACT :
Ridge lap or saddle pontic

Design
• This pontic derives its name from its shape . It overlaps both the buccal
and lingual surfaces of the ridge; hence it is called ‘ridge lap’.It forms a
large concave contact with the ridge.
• It simulates the emergence profile of the missing tooth.

Advantage
The emergence profile of a pontic simulates the adjacent natural tooth.

Disadvantages
• The gingival surface of the pontic is not accessible by the patient,making it
difficult to clean
• As the gingival surface of the pontic is in contact with the ridge it may
sometimes cause tissue inflammation..
Modified ridge lap

Design
• The pontic does not contact the lingual aspect of the ridge, while
facially it is in contact with the ridge and hence simulates the
emergence profile of the adjacent teeth.
• It is called ‘modified ridge lap’ because the gingival surface of the
pontic overlaps only the buccal surface of the ridge.
When viewed from the gingival aspect, the tissue contact should
resemble a letter ‘T’ whose vertical arms end at the crest of the ridge.
Advantages
• Superior aesthetics.
• Lingually, the pontic does not make any contact with the gingiva
ltissue and the contacting surface is convex.
Disadvantages
• Hygiene is inferior to sanitary.
Ovate pontic
• An ovate pontic is one of the most aesthetically appealing designs.
Design :
• Convex tissue surface of ovate pontic resides within the ridge ,which appears as if
the pontic is emerging from the ridge. Concavity in ridge can be created by placing
a provisional restoration similar in shape immediately after extraction. It can also
be surgically created.
Indications
• Fresh extraction sockets
• Anterior missing teeth where aesthetics is of prime concern.
• Broad flat ridges.
Advantages
• Emergence profile of a pontic simulates that of the adjacent naturaltooth.
• Pleasing appearance.
Disadvantages
• Requires surgical preparation.
• Though it can be flossed, oral hygiene is required to prevent tissue inflammation
resulting from large area of tissue contact.
 Conical pontic
• It is also known as ‘egg-shaped’, ‘bullet-shaped’ and ‘heart-shaped’ pontic. This
design is related to the ‘sanitary dummy’ described by Tinker in 1918.
Design
• The conical pontic is rounded with a small tip in relation to the overall size of the
pontic.
• It should be made as convex as possible, with only one point contact at the centre
of the ridge.
Advantage
• Good access for the oral hygiene.
Disadvantage
• Poor aesthetics.

Indications
• Knife-edged posterior ridges.
Contraindications
• Broad residual edentulous ridge
Aesthetic zone as the emergence profile is compromised.
Without mucosal contact
Sanitary/hygienic pontic

Sanitary pontic is called so because this design allows easy cleansing,as the tissue surface of
the pontic remains clear of the residual ridge.
Design
• This design makes no contact with residual ridge thus there are minimal chances of
inflammation.
• Occlusogingival thickness of the pontic should be greater than 3 mm and there should be
adequate space under it to facilitate cleansing.
• It is frequently made in convex configuration in both faciolingually and mesiodistally.
• The conventional type is called ‘the fish belly’ design.

Advantages
• Good access for oral hygiene.
• Minimal tissue inflammation.
Disadvantage
• Poor aesthetics.
Recommended location
Nonappearance zone
Contraindications
Appearance zone
Modified sanitary pontic/perelpontic/arc-shaped fpd
• This is an alternative design in which there is a
mesiodistal concavity.

• The undersurface is convex faciolingually and it gives a

configuration of the hyperbolic parabolic.

• This design provides an added strength to the

connecters and at the same time allows space for easier
cleansing.
Material used
All metal pontics

• These pontics are fabricated completely of cast metal with no ceramic or acrylic
veneering .

Indications
• Areas that are not of aesthetic concern.
• High stress-bearing teeth like mandibular molars.
.

Contraindication
• Cannot be used if aesthetics is of prime concern.

Advantages
• High strength.
• Easy to fabricate and less technique sensitive

Disadvantages
Poor aesthetics
Permeable to oral fluids.
Galvanism, if two different metals are used in the mouth
 All ceramic pontics

• These are metal-free pontics that make use of an alternative high

strength material like alumina or zirconia instead of metal, around
which the ceramic is built.

• Indications
• Areas of prime aesthetic concern like maxillary anteriors.

• Contraindications
• Patients with parafunctional habits like bruxism.
• Long-span bridges.

• Advantages
• Highly aesthetic.
• Good strength.

• Disadvantages
• High cost as it is highly technique-sensitive.
• Lesser strength than porcelain fused to metal pontics.
Metal-ceramic pontics

• These are pontics that have a metal substructure over which

ceramic buildup is done, covering the metal fully or partially.

• Indications
• It is indicated in most clinical cases.
• Most commonly used pontic type.

Advantages
• Can be used in almost all clinical situations.
• Good aesthetics.
• Adequate strength.

Disadvantages
• More extensive lab procedure than all metal pontics.
Metal with resin facing pontics

• Here, instead of ceramic, acrylic/composite resin is veneered to the

facial/buccal surface of the underlying metal.

Indication
• Long term provisional restorations.

Contraindication
• Definitive restorations.

Advantages
• Cost-effective procedure as conventional gold can be used as substructure.
• Easy fabrication.

Disadvantages
• Lower strength as compared to any other permanent restoration.
• Lesser abrasion resistance.
• Easily discoloured over a period of time.
•
Fibre-reinforced composite pontics
They are composite pontics that are fabricated around a resin fibre that provides strength to the prosthesis.
Indications
• Resin-bonded fixed prosthesis.
• Good oral hygiene.
• Anterior single missing tooth situations
• Short-span bridges

Contraindications
Replacement of posterior missing tooth
• Long-span bridges.
• Deep bite cases.

Advantages
• Easy chair side fabrication procedure
• Acceptable aesthetics and shade matching.
• Minimal tooth preparation required.
.
Disadvantages
• Less strength.
• Cannot be used in cases of multiple missing teeth.
Method of fabrication
Custom-made pontics
Most commonly used type of pontics.

Each pontic is fabricated according to the patient’s ridge contour. Wax patterns
are first made which are then cast to obtain the final metal pontic substructure.

Advantage
• They provide superior aesthetics and adaptation of the prosthesis.
Disadvantage
• Extensive fabrication procedure.
Prefabricated pontics
• They are commercially available prefabricated porcelain
pontics.

• They are used along with a metal backing (usually gold),

that is individually customized according to the patient’s
ridge contours.

• The facing is then glazed and adapted to fit the metal

backing to finish the prosthesis.
• Examples are trupontic, sanitary facings, Steele’s facings.
• The increased use of custom-made pontics has greatly
decreased the commercial making of manufactured facings.
PONTIC DESIGN

• The success of the fixed partial denture depends on

pontic design.
• We have to make a substitute tooth that compares
favourably in form,function and appearance with the tooth
it replaces.
Factors influencing pontic design :

• 1. Edentulous space
• 2. Ridge contour
• 3. Design: i Gingival surface
ii Occlusal surface
iii Interproximal surface
iv Buccal and Lingual surfaces
1. Edentulous space

• Adequate edentulous space must be available to fabricate a

pontic.
• In some cases this space can be reduced because of tilting of
adjacent teeth and supraeruption of opposing teeth caused by a
prolonged edentulous period.
• Some space can be regained while preparing the adjacent
teeth, but in severe cases orthodontic uprighting and intentional
endodontic treatment of opposing tooth may be necessary to
get adequate space.
2. Ridge contour
• The amount of destruction will determine the pontic design and
indicate the necessity for surgical correction of the ridge.
• An ideal ridge should be well formed and rounded.
• Ridge deformities have been classified into three types by
Siebert :
• Class I: Loss of faciolingual ridge width, normal apicocoronal
height.
• Class II: Loss of height, normal width.
• Class III: Loss of height and width.
• A deficient ridge can be masked to a certain extent by adding
‘pinkgingival porcelain’ to simulate interdental papilla, but most
often surgical correction with augmentation techniques will
produce the best results aesthetically.
 3. Design
• Analysing each pontic surface will aid in determining the design.

Gingival surface:
• This is influenced by the material, location of space and degree of tissue contact.

• Finish of the material is more important than the material itself although highly glazed porcelain has been
advocated as the material of choice. Rough surfaces accumulate plaque and cause irritation.

• Aesthetics and hygiene require different gingival shapes of pontic depending on the location:
• In mandibular posteriors : aesthetics is not a major factor, hence spheroidal (conical) pontic is
indicated.In the presence of excessive bone loss, a hygienic pontic can be utilized.
• In maxillary posteriors: modified ridge lap design satisfies both aesthetics and function.
• In the anterior region : generally a modified ridge lap pontic is indicated.

• A pontic should have only minimum passive contact with the ridge.Excessive pressure causes inflammation,
ulceration or tissue proliferation. It should also allow easy cleansability of the tissue surface.
Occlusal surface
• The most important factor in determining the design of this
surface is provision of a stable vertical stop by suitable
placement of functional cusps (maxillary palatal cusps and
mandibular buccal cusps).
• Although reduction of size of the occlusal table of pontic has
been suggested to decrease the forces on the abutment, it is
very clear that since proprioceptive impulses control these
forces, this reduction will not help.
• The positions of maxillary buccal cusps and mandibular
lingual cusps should not be altered as they prevent cheek
biting and protect the tongue, respectively.
Interproximal surface

• Contoured according to the following considerations:

• Vertical space must be sufficient for interproximal tissues and permit physiologic
contour of pontic.

• Maxillary anterior embrasures are minimal for aesthetics should allow sufficient
space to prevent papillary impingement.

• Posteriorly, size of embrasure gradually increases to facilitate hygiene.

Buccal and lingual surfaces

• Buccal and lingual surfaces are determined by aesthetic, functional and hygienic requirements

• The facial contour should meet aesthetic requirements by maintaining normal contour, alignment and
length in coordination with adjacent teeth.

• Lingual contour should meet functional and hygienic requirements. It should harmonize with
adjacent teeth from cusp tip to height of contour, and then recedes smoothly and convexly to the facial or
buccal tissue contact area.

• Embrasures on lingual are wider than the buccal or facial.

Conclusion

• Components of a fpd need to be designed within the

context of the whole bridge,in harmony with all the
principles and fulfillinfg the requirements of each part.
• In case of pontics it sometimes becomes necessary to
compromise with aesthetics for cleansability.
• Thus, after a thoroughb examination, the type of
prosthesis is determined such that it has a long term
favourable prognosis.
MCQ’S
1) Egg shaped pontic is indicated for replacement of ?

a. Maxillary anteriors
b. Maxillary posteriors
c. Mandibular anteriors
d. Mandibular posteriors
• Ans : d) Mandibular posteriors
2) Most appropriate pontic design is?

a. It should fill the missing area

b. Greater lingual embrasure
c. Should contact mucosa but should not irritate it
d. None of the above
• Ans : c) it should contact mucosa but should not irritate it
3) Rough poorly polished areas of pontics may cause

a. Halitosis
b. Discomfort
c. Chronic inflammation of ridge
d. All the above
• Ans : d) all the above
4) A pontic should be

a. Convex mesiodistally
b. Convex buccolingually
c. Concave mesiodistally
d. Concave buccolingually
• Ans : a) convex mesiodistally
5) A pontic design of choice in appearance zone of maxillary and mandibular
bridge

a. Conical
b. Ridge lap
c. Modified ridge lap
d. Hygenic
• Ans c) modified ridge lap
6) A pontic as compared to a missing posterior tooth should be:

a. same dimensions as that of natural teeth

b. same dimensions mesiodistally but less faciolingually
c. same dimensions faciolingually but less mesiodistally
d. none of the above
• Ans : b) same dimentions mesiodistally but less faciolingually
7) Ridge lap design of pontic is indicated for the replacement of a:

a. Maxillary first molar

b. Maxillary central incisor
c. Mandibular first molar
d. Mandibular second premolar
Ans: b) Maxillary central incisors
8) Which of the following is not indicated for maxillary anterior pontic?

a. Ridge lap
b. Modified ridge lap
c. Hygienic
d. Ovate
• Ans : c) hygenic pontic
9) Which of the following statement about pontics is true?

a. Posterior pontics should avoid balancing side contact

b. Should avoid all occlusal contacts
c. Pontics should permit flossing
d. Both A and C
• Ans : both a and c
10) Ovate pontics are used in:

a. Well rounded ridges

b. Knife edged ridges
c. Recently extracted tooth sockets
d. Flat ridges
• Ans : c) recently extracted socket
11) Fish belly pontic is another name for?
a. Hygenic
b. Modified ridge lap
c. Ridge lap
d. conical
• Ans : a) hygenic
12)Ridge deformities have been classified by :
a. Henry
b. Maxwell
c. Robert
d. Siebert
• Ans: d) Siebert
13) Which of them is not a name for conical pontic
a. Egg shaped
b. Bullet shaped
c. Fish belly shaped
d. Heart shaped
• Ans: c) fish belly shaped
14) Occlusogingival thickness of sanitary pontic should be greater than ___ mm
to facilitate cleansing.
a. 4mm
b. 5mm
c. 3mm
d. 2mm
• Ans: c) 3mm
15) Which of the following pontic is indicated in knife edged posterior ridges?
a. Ridge lap
b. Conical
c. Modified ridge lap
d. sanitary
• Ans : b) conical
Case Report :
• A 17 year old female patient reported to the department of prosthodontics.
Her chief complaint was an esthetic concern regarding her smile. She had
discolored and fractured upper anterior teeth.

ON EXAMINATION:
• 21 was grossly decayed with fracture at cervical margin and discoloration.
• RCT with respect to 11, 21 and 22 was done 1 year back.
TREATMENT PLAN
• Extraction of 21 followed by replacement with fixed partial denture in relation
to 11, 21, and 22 using modified ovate pontic design.
• Diagnostic impressions were made , diagnostic casts were mounted using
face bow records on articulator.
• Silicon putty index was made.
• Removal of remaining caries and composite core build up of abutment tooth
was carried out.
• Tooth preparation to receive a fixed partial denture was carried out for 11 and
22 with shoulder finish line.
• An alginate impression of prepared teeth and future extraction site was
made.
• Provisional prosthesis was fabricated using putty index, in tooth coloured
acrylic resin.
• Extraction of 21 was done.
• Immediate placement of provisional prosthesis was done.
Refrences:

• 1. Textbook of Prosthodontics : Second edition-V

Rangarajan

• 2. Case Report:
https://annalsofdentalspecialty.net.in/storage
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c22DD6yoxqeUOuvQC9A6L9RwhyjDoF9XZpVx
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ovate-pontic-design-a-case
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