A bridge abutment is the tooth or dental implant that supports a dental bridge. It provides the anchor point that holds the bridge in place during chewing and speaking. It is commonly used in fixed partial dentures (traditional “bridges”) to replace one or more missing teeth. It may also refer to the prosthetic connector on an implant system that supports a bridge.
An abutment is a support component that connects a dental restoration to a foundation. In implant dentistry, an abutment links a dental implant (in bone) to a crown, bridge, or denture. In fixed prosthodontics, a natural tooth can be called an “abutment tooth” when it supports a bridge. It is commonly used to help replace missing teeth and restore chewing function and appearance.
A hygienic pontic is a bridge “replacement tooth” that does not touch the gum tissue. It is shaped to leave a space under the pontic so the area can be cleaned more easily. It is most commonly used in the back of the mouth, where appearance is less critical. The design aims to reduce plaque trapping compared with tissue-contact pontic shapes.
A modified ridge lap pontic is a “replacement tooth” shape used in a fixed dental bridge. It is designed to look natural from the front while allowing easier cleaning underneath. It touches the gum tissue only in a small, controlled area rather than across the whole ridge. It is commonly used for front teeth and premolars where appearance matters and hygiene access is important.
A ridge lap pontic is the “false tooth” portion of a fixed dental bridge that sits against the gum ridge where a tooth is missing. It is shaped to look like a natural tooth from the cheek/lip side while also contacting the ridge tissue. This design is most often discussed in the context of fixed partial dentures (traditional bridges). Because tissue contact can affect cleanability, the exact contour matters clinically.
An ovate pontic is a tooth-shaped replacement “dummy tooth” used in a fixed bridge. Its underside is rounded so it sits into a small, shaped depression in the gum tissue. It is commonly used to improve the natural-looking emergence of a missing tooth, especially in the front of the mouth. It can be part of a provisional (temporary) or definitive (final) fixed restoration.
A pontic is an artificial tooth that replaces a missing tooth in a fixed dental bridge. It sits between the supporting teeth (or implants) and restores the look and function of the gap. A pontic is commonly used as part of a fixed partial denture (often called a “bridge”). Its shape and material are selected to balance appearance, cleaning access, and strength.
A tooth-supported bridge is a fixed dental restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. It is supported by natural teeth (called abutment teeth) on either side of the gap. The replacement tooth portion (the pontic) is connected to crowns or retainers on the abutment teeth. It is commonly used when neighboring teeth can reliably support a fixed replacement.
An implant-supported bridge is a fixed dental restoration that replaces multiple missing teeth by attaching to dental implants. It is commonly used when several teeth in a row are missing and a removable denture is not preferred. Instead of relying on natural teeth for support, it uses implants placed in the jawbone as the foundation. The “bridge” portion includes artificial teeth that span the gap where teeth are missing.
A resin-bonded bridge is a fixed dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth. It stays in place by bonding “wings” or retainers to the back of nearby teeth with dental resin (an adhesive cement). It is commonly used in areas where appearance matters and the supporting teeth are otherwise healthy. It is sometimes called a “bonded bridge” or “Maryland-type” bridge (a common design).