Pontic Space

One function of an FDP is to prevent tilting or drifting of the adjacent teeth into the edentulous space. If such movement has already occurred, the space available for the pontic may be reduced and its fabrication complicated. At this point, creating an acceptable appearance without orthodontic repositioning of the abutment teeth is often impossible, particularly if esthetic appearance is important. (Modification of abutments with complete-coverage retainers is sometimes feasible.) Careful diagnostic waxing procedures help determine the most appropriate treatment (see Chapters 2 and 3). Even with a lesser esthetic requirement, as for posterior teeth, overly small pontics are unacceptable because they trap food and are difficult to clean. When orthodontic repositioning is not possible, increasing the proximal contours of adjacent teeth may be better than making an FDP with undersized pontics (Fig. 20-3). If there is no functional or esthetic deficit, the space can be maintained without prosthodontic intervention.

Fig. 20-3 Careful planning is always necessary in deciding how to restore an undersized pontic space where orthodontic treatment is not practical. A, In this patient, individual crowns of increased proximal contours were preferred to a partial fixed dental prosthesis with undersized pontics. Excellent plaque control had been demonstrated, and the design provided the optimum occlusal relationship. B, Here two small pontics were used to replace the missing maxillary teeth.

Residual Ridge Contour

The edentulous ridge’s contour and topography should be carefully evaluated during the treatment planning phase. An ideally shaped ridge has a smooth, regular surface of attached gingiva, which facilitates maintenance of a plaque-free environment. Its height and width should allow placement of a pontic that appears to emerge from the ridge and mimics the appearance of the neighboring teeth. Facially, it must be free of frenum attachment and be of adequate facial height to sustain the appearance of interdental papillae.

Loss of residual ridge contour may lead to unesthetic open gingival embrasures (“black triangles”) (Fig. 20-4A), food impaction (Fig. 20-4B), and percolation of saliva during speech. Siebert² classified residual ridge deformities into three categories (Table 20-1 and Fig. 20-5):

There is a high incidence (91%) of residual ridge deformity after anterior tooth loss³; the majority of these are Class III defects. Because patients with Class II and III defects are frequently dissatisfied with the esthetics of their FDPs,⁴ preprosthetic surgery to augment such residual ridges should be carefully considered.

Fig. 20-4 Loss of residual ridge contour, leading to unesthetic open gingival embrasures (A) and food entrapment (arrow) (B).

Fig. 20-5 Residual ridge deformities as classified by Siebert.² A, Class O, no defect. B, Class I defect. C, Class II defect. D, Class III defect.

Surgical Modification

Although residual ridge width may be augmented with hard tissue grafts, this is usually not indicated unless the edentulous site is to receive an implant (see Chapter 13).

Class I defects

Soft tissue procedures have been advocated for improving the width of a Class I defect; however, because Class I defects are infrequent and are not esthetically challenging, surgical augmentation of ridge width is uncommon. Paying careful attention to interim pontic contour helps the operator identify patients who would benefit from surgery. In the roll⁵ technique, soft tissue from the lingual side of the edentulous site is used. The epithelium is removed, and the tissue is thinned and rolled back upon itself, thereby thickening the facial aspect of the residual ridge (Fig. 20-6). Pouches may also be prepared in the facial aspect of the residual ridge⁶ into which subepithelial^7,8 or submucosal⁹ grafts harvested from the palate or tuberosity may be inserted (Fig. 20-7).

Fig. 20-6 The roll technique for soft tissue ridge augmentation. A, Cross-section of Class I residual ridge defect before augmentation. B, Epithelium removed from palatal surface. C, Elevation of flap, creating a pouch on the vestibular surface. D, The flap is rolled into the pouch, enhancing ridge width.

Fig. 20-7 The pouch technique for soft tissue ridge augmentation. A and B, Split-thickness flap is reflected. C, Graft material placed in the pouch increases ridge width. D, Flaps sutured in place.

Class II and III defects

Unfortunately, few soft tissue surgical techniques can increase the height of a residual ridge with predictability. The interpositional graft^2,10 is a variation of the pouch technique, in which a wedge-shaped connective tissue graft is inserted into a pouch preparation on the facial aspect of the residual ridge. The epithelial portion of the wedge may be positioned coronally to the surrounding epithelium if an increase of ridge height is desired (Fig. 20-8A and B). The onlay graft is designed to gain ridge height^2,11 but also contributes to ridge width, which makes it useful for treating Class III ridge defects (Fig. 20-9). It is a thick “free gingival graft” harvested from partial- or full-thickness palatal donor sites. Because the amount of height augmentation can be only as thick as the graft, the procedure may have to be repeated several times to reestablish normal residual ridge height. Although the onlay graft has greater potential for increasing ridge height than does the interpositional graft, its survival is greatly dependent on revascularization, which requires meticulous preparation of the recipient site. Therefore, it is more technique sensitive than the interpositional graft. In fact, connective tissue grafts have been demonstrated to achieve approximately 50% more ridge volume gain 3.5 months after surgery than do free gingival grafts in single-tooth residual ridge defects.¹²

Fig. 20-8 An interpositional graft for augmentation of ridge width and height. A, Tissue reflected. B, Graft positioned and sutured in place.

Fig. 20-9 An onlay graft for augmentation of ridge width and height. A, Presurgical view of Class III residual ridge defect with abutment teeth prepared. B, Recipient bed prepared by removing epithelium. C, Striation cuts are made in connective tissue to encourage revascularization. D, Onlay graft is sutured in place., E, An interim partial fixed dental prosthesis with open embrasures is placed immediately to allow adaptation of tissue during healing. F, Cast with Class III residual ridge defect; the lateral incisor was unrestorable. G, Donor site for graft. H, Graft sutured in place. I, Augmented ridge. J and K, Final restoration with improved contours.

Gingival Architecture Preservation

Although the degree of residual ridge resorption after tooth extraction is unpredictable, resulting deformities are not an inevitable occurrence. Preservation of the alveolar process can be achieved through immediate restorative and periodontal intervention at the time of tooth removal. By conditioning the extraction site and providing a matrix for healing, the pre-extraction gingival architecture, or “socket,” can be preserved.

Preparing the abutment teeth before the extraction is the preferred technique. An interim FDP can be fabricated indirectly, ready for immediate insertion. Because socket preservation is dependent on underlying bone contour, the extraction of the tooth to be replaced should be atraumatic and aimed at preserving the facial plate of bone. The scalloped architecture of interproximal bone forming the extraction site is essential for proper papilla form, as are facial bone levels in the prevention of alveolar collapse. If bone levels are compromised before or during extraction, the sockets can be grafted with an allograft material (hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, or freeze-dried bone).^13–15

Immediately after preparation of the extraction site, a carefully shaped interim FDP is placed (Fig. 20-10A and B). The tissue side of the pontic should be an ovate form, and, according to Spear,¹⁶ it should extend approximately 2.5 mm apical to the facial free gingival margin of the extraction socket (Fig. 20-10C and D). Because the soft tissues of the socket begin to collapse immediately after the tooth extraction, the pontic causes tissue blanching as it supports the papillae and facial/palatal gingiva. The contour of the ovate tissue side of the pontic is critical and must conform to within 1 mm of the interproximal and facial bone contour to act as a template for healing. Oral hygiene in this area is difficult during the initial healing period, and so the interim restoration should be highly polished to minimize plaque retention. After approximately 1 month of healing, oral hygiene access is improved by recontouring the pontic to provide 1 to 1.5 mm of relief from the tissue. When the gingival levels are stable (approximately 6 to 12 months), the final restoration can be fabricated (Fig. 20-10E).

Fig. 20-10 Alveolar architecture preservation technique. A, Atraumatic tooth extraction. B, Cross-section view of the immediate interim partial fixed dental prosthesis, demonstrating ovate pontic form. C, Interim restoration. Note the 2.5-mm apical extension of the ovate pontic. D, The seated interim restoration should cause slight blanching of interdental papilla. E, Interim restoration 12 months after extraction. Note the preservation of interdental papilla.

(Courtesy of Dr. F.M. Spear and Montage Media, Mahwah, New Jersey.)

Techniques involving orthodontic extrusions have also been employed to preserve ridge form before extraction. In these proactive methods, light forces are used to extrude the teeth destined to be extracted. As the teeth are extruded, apposition of bone occurs at the root apex, thereby filling the socket with bone as the tooth is slowly extracted orthodontically. First employed to avoid ridge augmentation and gain vertical ridge height before immediate implant placement,¹⁷ the orthodontic extrusion technique has been used successfully to maintain ridge contour before treatment with conventional FDPs (Fig. 20-11). In addition to the additional time and expense of orthodontic treatment, because the teeth to be extracted must continuously be adjusted as they are extruded, previous endodontic treatment is necessary.

Fig. 20-11 Orthodontic extrusion to preserve alveolar architecture. A, Pretreatment (note gingival crest height discrepancy between the maxillary central incisors). B, Orthodontic extrusion. C, Pre-extrusion and post-extrusion radiographs. Red line denotes reference point; blue and yellow lines denote change in gingival crest height. D, Post-extraction evaluation of interim restoration with ovate pontics. E, Gingival architecture immediately prior to pression. F, Final restoration.

Although maintenance of the residual ridge after extraction is admirable, socket-preservation techniques are technically challenging and require frequent patient monitoring and conscientious hygiene on the part of the patient. Even when the procedure is performed meticulously, success is unpredictable because of the variability in patients’ healing response. Additional surgical augmentation of the ridge may still be necessary for some patients.

Sanitary or Hygienic Pontic

As its name implies, the primary design feature of the sanitary pontic allows easy cleaning, because its tissue surface remains clear of the residual ridge (Fig. 20-12A). This hygienic design permits easier plaque control by allowing gauze strips and other cleaning devices to be passed under the pontic and seesawed in a shoeshine manner. Disadvantages include entrapment of food particles, which may lead to tongue habits that annoy the patient. The hygienic pontic is the least “toothlike” design and is therefore reserved for teeth seldom displayed during function (i.e., the mandibular molars).

Fig. 20-12 A, Sanitary pontic. B and C, Modified sanitary pontic. D, Placement of the pontic, close to the ridge, has resulted in tissue proliferation (arrow).

A modified version of the sanitary pontic has been developed¹⁸ (Fig. 20-12B and C). Its gingival portion is shaped like an archway between the retainers. This geometry allows increased connector size while decreasing the stress concentrated in the pontic and connectors.¹⁹ It is also less susceptible to tissue proliferation that can occur when a pontic is too close to the residual ridge (Fig. 20-12D).

Saddle or Ridge Lap Pontic

The saddle pontic has a concave fitting surface that overlaps the residual ridge buccolingually, simulating the contours and emergence profile of the missing tooth on both sides of the residual ridge. However, saddle or ridge lap designs should be avoided because the concave gingival surface of the pontic is not accessible to cleaning with dental floss, which leads to plaque accumulation (Fig. 20-13). This design deficiency has been shown to result in tissue inflammation¹ (Fig. 20-14).

Fig. 20-13 A, Cross-section view of ridge lap pontic. B, The tissue surface is inaccessible to cleaning devices.

Fig. 20-14 A and B, Partial fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) with a ridge-lap (concave) gingival surface. C, When it was removed, the tissue was found to be ulcerated. D, The defective FDP was recontoured and used as an interim restoration while the definitive restoration was being fabricated. Within 2 weeks the ulceration had resolved.

Modified Ridge Lap Pontic

The modified ridge lap pontic combines the best features of the hygienic and saddle pontic designs, combining esthetics with easy cleaning. Figures 20-15 and 20-16 demonstrate how the modified ridge lap design overlaps the residual ridge on the facial side (to achieve the appearance of a tooth emerging from the gingiva) but remains clear of the ridge on the lingual side. To enable optimal plaque control, the gingival surface must have no depression or hollow. Rather, it should be as convex as possible from mesial to distal aspects (the greater the convexity, the easier the oral hygiene). Tissue contact should resemble a letter T (Fig. 20-17) whose vertical arm ends at the crest of the ridge. Facial ridge adaptation is essential for a natural appearance. Although this design was historically referred to as ridge-lap,^20,21 the term ridge-lap is now used synonymously with the saddle design. The modified ridge lap design is the most common pontic form used in areas of the mouth that are visible during function (maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth and maxillary premolars and first molars).

Fig. 20-15 Modified ridge lap pontic. A, Partial fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) partially seated. B, FDP seated.

Fig. 20-16 Three-unit partial fixed dental prosthesis replacing the maxillary lateral incisor. A, To facilitate plaque control, the lingual surface is made convex. B, The facial surface is shaped to simulate the missing tooth.

Fig. 20-17 Tissue contact of a maxillary partial fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) should resemble the letter T. This FDP is viewed from the gingival aspect.

Conical Pontic

Often called egg-shaped, bullet-shaped, or heart-shaped, the conical pontic (Fig. 20-18) is easy for the patient to keep clean. It should be made as convex as possible, with only one point of contact at the center of the residual ridge. This design is recommended for the replacement of mandibular posterior teeth, where esthetic appearance is a lesser concern. The facial and lingual contours are dependent on the width of the residual ridge; a knife-edged residual ridge necessitates flatter contours with a narrow tissue contact area. This type of design may be unsuitable for broad residual ridges, because the emergence profile associated with the small tissue contact point may create areas of food entrapment (Fig. 20-19). The sanitary or hygienic pontic is the design of choice in these clinical situations.

Fig. 20-18 A and B, A pontic with maximum convexity and a single point of contact with the tissue surface is the design easiest to keep clean. C, Evaluating the contour of three possible pontic shapes (1, 2, and 3). Contour 3 is the most convex in area B but is too flat in area A. Contour 1 is convex in area A but is too flat in area B. Contour 2 is the best. D, An all-metal partial fixed dental prosthesis with a conical pontic, suitable for replacement of a mandibular molar.

Fig. 20-19 A, Conical pontics may create food entrapment on broad residual ridges (arrow). B, The sanitary pontic form may be a better alternative.

Ovate Pontic

The ovate pontic is the most esthetically appealing pontic design. Its convex tissue surface resides in a soft tissue depression or hollow in the residual ridge, which makes it appear that a tooth is literally emerging from the gingiva (Fig. 20-20). Careful treatment planning is necessary for successful results. Socket-preservation techniques should be performed at the time of extraction to create the tissue recess from which the ovate pontic form will emerge. For a preexisting residual ridge, soft tissue surgical augmentation is typically required. When an adequate volume of ridge tissue is established, a socket depression is sculpted into the ridge with surgical diamonds or electrosurgery. In either case, meticulous attention to the contour of the pontic of the interim restoration is essential when the residual ridge that will receive the definitive prosthesis is conditioned and shaped.

Fig. 20-20 Ovate pontic. A, Partial fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) partially seated. B, FDP seated.

The ovate pontic’s advantages include its pleasing appearance and its strength. When used successfully with ridge augmentation, its emergence from the ridge appears identical to that of a natural tooth. In addition, its recessed form is not susceptible to food impaction. The broad convex geometry is stronger than that of the modified ridge lap pontic, because the unsupported, thin porcelain that often exists at the gingivofacial extent of the pontic is eliminated (Fig. 20-21). Because the tissue surface of the pontic is convex in all dimensions, it is accessible to dental floss; however, meticulous oral hygiene is necessary to prevent tissue inflammation resulting from the large area of tissue contact. Other disadvantages include the need for surgical tissue management and the associated cost. Furthermore, an additional evaluation appointment is typically necessary to achieve an esthetic result. The socket depression, with its pseudopapillae, requires the support of the interim ovate pontic and will collapse when the interim restoration is removed before an impression is made. To compensate for this three-dimensional change in the socket that occurs during the impression, it is necessary to scrape the cast in this area to ensure positive contact and support of the pseudopapillae with the definitive pontic. Because these adjustment are made somewhat arbitrarily, it may also be necessary to make revisions to the tissue surface of the pontic (reshaping or porcelain additions) at the evaluation phase.

Fig. 20-21 The ovate pontic design eliminates the potential for unsupported porcelain in the cervical portion of an anterior pontic.

Ridge Contact

Pressure-free contact between the pontic and the underlying tissues is indicated to prevent ulceration and inflammation of the soft tissues.^1,22 If any blanching of the soft tissues is observed at evaluation, the pressure area should be identified with a disclosing medium (e.g., pressure-indicating paste) and the pontic recontoured until tissue contact is entirely passive. This passive contact should occur exclusively on keratinized attached tissue. When a pontic rests on mucosa, some ulcerations may appear as a result of the normal movement of the mucosa in contact with the pontic (Fig. 20-22). Positive ridge pressure (hyperpressure) may be caused by excessive/>