PONTICS A fixed dental prosthesis which cannot be

PONTICS

A fixed dental prosthesis which cannot be removed by the patient ABTUMENT : • The tooth which support the bridge or part • of the bridge and to which the retainer is cemented. ABTUMENTs

Retainer. is that part of the bridge which is cemented • to the abutment tooth retainer

PONTIC Pontics are the artificial teeth in a fixed partial prosthesis, that replace the lost natural teeth , and restore function and appearance, usually fills the space previously occupied by the clinical crown. Its suspended between cast abutment restorations , and attached to pontic retainer

Functions of the pontic 1 -MASTICATION The Pontic provides hard surfaces against which food can be chewed by teeth in the opposing arch

2 - SPEECH (PHONETICS) A space created by the loss of tooth alters the pattern of airflow making normal speech difficult. Pontic helps to restrict air passage through edentulous area to aid in the reestablishment of normal sounds

3 -MAINTENANCE OF TOOTH RELATIONSHIP when missing teeth are not replaced, the teeth posterior to edentulous areas can move forward from their normal position , its also possible for teeth anterior to and opposing edentulous spaces to drift distally and cclusally into open area. .

ESTHETICS (APPEARANCE) al esthetics affects personal appearance , the presence of a full complement of teeth with a natural appearance is important to an individual's self image Pontics , fill in the empty spaces that would be observed during talking and smiling, provide support for lips and cheeks to allow facial form. Pontic space

The requirements of a pontic 1 - Provide esthetics and comfort • 2 - Restore function • 3 - Biologically acceptable • 4 - Permit effective oral hygiene • 5 - Preserve underlying residual mucosa •

RESIDUAL RIDGE CONTOUR The edentulous edge's contour should evaluated carefully. The • ridge should be smooth, regular and free of frenum attachment. Loss of residual contour may lead to unaesthetic appearance • and lead to food impaction.

Classification of residual ridges 1 -Class I defects faciolingual loss of • tissue width with normal height. 2 -Class II defects loss of ridge height with • normal ridge width. 3 - Class III defects a combination of loss • in both dimensions.

Types of pontics According to design According to material All metal With Mucosal contact Without Mucosal contact All ceramic All acrylic Metal-combination Metal-ceramic – metal-acrylic

1 - Pontics with mucosal contact Divided to ; 1 - saddle ridge- lap 2 - modified ridge-lap

3 - conical 4 - ovate

2 -Without mucosal contact Sanitary (hygienic) Recommended Location Posterior mandible advantages Good access for hygiene disadvantages Poor esthetics

Pontic designs Recommended Location advantages Sanitary (hygienic) Posterior mandible Good access for hygiene Poor esthetics Esthetics Not amenable to oral hygyeine Good esthetics Moderately easy to clean Good access for oral hygiene Poor esthetics saddle or ridge-lap Not recommended Modified ridge Anterior teeth and premolars , some maxillary molars Conical Egg or heart shaped Ovate Molars without esthetics requirements Maxillary incisor and premolars Superior esthetics negligible food entrapment easy to clean disadvantages Requires surgical preparation form