The term "pontic" refers to the replacement of a missing tooth, or teeth. Not just cosmetic dentistry, it's important to replace missing teeth. The American Dental Association explains that when one begins losing teeth, it can lead to other dental health problems, such as a shifting of the remaining teeth and a poor appearance. Having the correct number of teeth can also benefit digestive health, as it gives the ability to properly chew food. There are different types of pontics available to suit the needs of the patient.
Dentures
This is probably the most common type of pontic, although you don't often hear it referred to as such. Dentures replace teeth that have been lost due to injury or gum disease. If there are only a few good teeth that remain, they will be removed in order to fit the dentures. According to the American Dental Association, once all teeth have been removed and the gums have healed, the dentist measures and takes a model of the patient's jaw. He uses this model to create the denture pontic. Dentures are available as complete or partial dentures, both of which can be removed for cleaning.
Fixed Bridge
Unlike dentures, a fixed bridge can't be removed from the mouth by the patient. A bridge gets its name from the fact that it bridges the space between teeth that is left by missing teeth. It is "fixed" because the replacement teeth are attached to metal bands, and these metal bands are cemented to nearby supporting teeth. The Westchester Dental Center in Illinois reports that there are two additional types of fixed bridges. The Maryland bridge is used to replace the front teeth, as long as the teeth on either side are strong and healthy, and the cantilever bridge is used when the replacement teeth can only be attached to anchor teeth on one side of the missing teeth.
Dental Implants
If you have a section of your mouth that has no teeth, meaning there are no anchor teeth nearby to support a bridge, the WDC states that a dental implant may be recommended. With dental implants, a metal post is surgically placed in the bone above or below the gums and a false tooth, or crown, is placed upon the metal post. The Atlanta Dental Group reports that dental implants last for decades. This makes them more appealing than fixed bridges, which have to be replaced every seven to 10 years.
