Different pontic design for porcelain fused to metal fixed dental prosthesis: Contemporary guidelines and practice by general dental practitioners

Abstract

Objective:The current study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of pontic design selection by the general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the light of contemporary guidelines.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted among the GDPs of Karachi. A questionnaire was designed to collect data from 100 GDPs. The questionnaire included general/demographic information (practitioner's education, experience, and place of practice) and an average number of fixed prosthesis constructed by the GDP. The questionnaire was further categorized to evaluate the knowledge/practice of pontic design selection and latest recommendations.Results:For the maxillary anterior segment, the ridge lap pontic was the most common (32%) followed by the modified ridge lap (28%). In the maxillary posterior segment, the ridge lap pontic was the most common (37%) followed by sanitary design (34%). For the mandibular anterior segment, the modified ridge lap (50%) was the most common followed by ridge lap pontic (17%). In case of the mandibular posterior segment, the sanitary design (34%) was the most common followed by ridge lap pontic (30%).Conclusions:The pontic design selection for the fixed prosthesis is a neglected domain. The contemporary guidelines are not followed with full spirit by the GDPs leading to wide variations in the pontic design selection.

Bacteriological Evaluation of Gingival Crevicular Fluid in Teeth Restored Using Fixed Dental Prostheses: An In Vivo Study

“…Due to the time factor, we could not enlarge the sample size. The present study did not evaluate the association of gingivitis and periodontitis with different factors related to fixed prostheses, including margin placement, individual variations, and pontic design, which may have influenced the outcome [ 34 ]. Due to a smaller sample size, we could not further divide the control group participants based on the prosthesis type, therefore restricting a direct comparison of the periodontitis group prosthesis group with the respective controls.…”

Characteristics of Periodontal Tissues in Prosthetic Treatment with Fixed Dental Prostheses

“…Biofunctionality and the harmony between the prosthesis and the periodontium is important for the aesthetics and longevity of the prosthesis [ 7 ]. In this regard, several factors, such as the prosthesis design, pontic design, occlusion, and biomaterial may contribute and should be considered while planning the fixed prosthodontic treatment [ 8 ].…”

Rehabilitation of Mastication and Lack of Space Treatment in Narrow Edentulous With Fixed-Fixed Bridge

“…4 Pontics have different shapes according to the operator and patient's judgement, based on the position of edentulous area, degree of alveolar bone resorption, patient's oral hygiene, and good communication between the dentist and laboratory technician to produce a design that is appropriate for the available edentulous space. 1,8 Choice of pontics depend greatly on the aesthetics and oral hygiene. For aesthetic reasons, the anterior area needs extra attention, pontic must be adjusted to make it look like it came from the gingiva.…”

“…Antagonistic teeth and surrounding teeth will migrate to the edentulous causing reduced mastication function and TMJ disturbance. 1,3 Missing tooth can cause anatomical changes, both physiological and functional. Partially missing tooth cause structural changes in tooth curvature.…”