PARTS OF FPD/BRIDGE
1. Pontic – that we replace for the missing tooth
2. Crown /Retainer – that is placed on the abutment
3. Connectors – that connects the pontic with the crown & thereby the abutment teeth

CONNECTORS: -

>RIGID
--- casted connectors
--- fixed
>NON – RIGID
---- key and keyway connectors— Tenon and mortise – male female design
---- Included when we are not able to get a coomon path of insertion
---- For example a tilted crown – wich will have an oblique path of insertion, compared to the path of insertion that is parallel to the long axis in the normal tooth on the other end of the bridge.
---- So we put the single crown 1st and then the bridge unit on it.

Any connector in a PFM should have a min vertical height of 3mm

PONTIC DESIGNS
 Replaces the missing natural tooth / teeth

1. SANITARY / HYGIENIC
 Can clean with brush
 Best pontic in posterior*
 Best overall pontic*

2. SADDLE/ RIDGE LAP SHAPE
 1st type of pontic design
 It grips firmly on the ridge both buccally and lingually, not giving any space to clean
 Concavity on the center area ∴ food lodgement possible
 Bad hygiene
 Least preferred- Actually never use.

3. EGG-SHAPED / CONICAL
 Conical shape
 One point contact at the ridge
 More hygienic than ridge lap
 Less hygienic than sanitary pontic

4. MODIFIED – RIDGE LAP / SADDLE LAP
 Touches ridge at labial / buccal aspect only
 Mimics natural tooth – as it appears emerging from the gingiva labially
 Good aesthetics
 Best for anteriors

5. OVATE
 Most superior aesthetics
 In cases where there's a ditch – like in Recently extracted areas
 Accident cases- replacing immediately after extraction..
 It Touches the ridge at the center
 Egg-shaped
 Has great emergence profile