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

Background and aim: It is controversial whether to reduce the buccolingual (BL) dimension of pontic ornot. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pontics of first molars were reduced in their BLdimensions and their position in the inter-abutment axes in the current practice of undergraduatestudents.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 anestimation 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, andtheir retainers.Results: The mean difference in BL dimension between pontics and their contralateral natural teeth forthe 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 theiroriginal buccolingual dimensions, which position them in the inter-abutment axes in the current practiceof undergraduate dental students.