Pontic Design in Prosthodontics
The pontic, \ pŏn΄tĭk \, is an artificial tooth on a fixed partial denture that replaces a missing natural tooth, restores its function, and usually restores the space previously occupied by the clinical crown. An ideal correctly designed posterior pontic should have the following features. All surfaces should have convexity with proper finish. The contact with buccal contiguous slop should be minimal (pinpoint)) and with pressure free (modified ridge lap). Buccal and lingual shunting mechanisms should conform with those of the adjacent teeth. The occlusal table should be in functional harmony with the occlusion of all of the teeth. The overall length of the buccal surface should be equal to that of the adjacent abutment teeth or pontic. Figure 1. Schematic presentation of various pontic designs; (a) Sanitary pontic; has no contact with the edentulous ridge, (b) ridge lap pontic; forms a large concave contact replacing the contours of a miss...