Title
Clinical assessment of pontic design in anterior and posterior fixed partial denture patients: A crosssectional study
Authors
Mohammed Ibrahim Mathar1,*, Hussain Muaddi Al Hayyah2, Eman Abdulaziz Alhablen3, Abdulaziz Waleed Alhazmi2, Kadi Saleh Alharbi2, Abdullah Abdulaziz Alhablen2, Yazid Suliman Alquwayai2 & Ali Ibrahim Alzaidan2
Affiliation
1Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences College of Dentistry, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Dental Public Health, College of Dentistry, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia; *Corresponding author
Mohammed Ibrahim Mathar - E-mail: m.mathar@qu.edu.sa
Hussain Muaddi Al Hayyah - E-mail: kokm.3.6@gmail.com
Eman Abdulaziz Alhablen - E-mail: 451214470@qu.edu.sa
Abdulaziz Waleed Alhazmi - E-mail: 411107588@qu.edu.sa
Kadi Saleh Alharbi - E-mail: 411201981@qu.edu.sa
Abdullah Abdulaziz Alhablen - E-mail: 391108296@qu.edu.sa
Yazid Suliman Alquwayai - E-mail: 381117535@qu.edu.sa
Ali Ibrahim Alzaidan - E-mail: 411107689@qu.edu.sa
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received August 1, 2026; Revised August 31, 2026; Accepted August 31, 2026, Published August 31, 2026
Abstract
While several pontic designs are available in fixed prosthodontics, limited comparative clinical evidence exists regarding surface form, material selection and ridge deformities in anterior and posterior regions. A cross-sectional clinical study was conducted over 18 months on 80 adult patients rehabilitated with short-span (3-unit) FPDs, who were included and divided equally into anterior and posterior groups. A statistically significant association was observed between pontic design and esthetic appearance in the anterior region (p=0.011), with ovate pontics showing superior esthetic outcomes. In the posterior region, pontic design showed a highly significant association with cleansability (p < 0.001), with conical pontics exhibiting the most favourable hygiene scores. Thus, pontic design significantly influences esthetics in anterior FPDs and cleansability in posterior FPDs.
Keywords
Fixed partial denture; pontic design; ridge deformity; Seibert’s classification; esthetics; cleansability
Citation
Mathar et al. Bioinformation 22(8): 4817-4822 (2026)
Edited by
Vini Mehta
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
