An Analysis of the Buccolingual Dimension of the Pontics in Posterior Bridges

Abstract

Background and aim: It is controversial whether to reduce the buccolingual (BL) dimension of pontic or not. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pontics of first molars were reduced in their BL dimensions and their position in the inter-abutment axes in the current practice of undergraduate students.

Methods: The investigation included 56 upper and lower posterior bridges replacing the first molars. A sliding calliper was used to measure  the BL dimensions of pontics, their contralateral teeth as an estimation of the original BL dimension of original missing first molars, and their retainers in the bridges. The difference in BL dimensions were then calculated between the pontics, their contralateral teeth, and their retainers.

Results: The mean difference in BL dimension between pontics and their contralateral natural teeth for the upper first molar was 2.28 mm (20.38% reduction), and for the lower first molar 2.11 mm (19.58% reduction).

Conclusion: It can be concluded that molar pontics are constructed  nearly one fifth narrower than their original buccolingual dimensions, which position them in the inter-abutment axes in the current practice of undergraduate dental students.