Lectures 1-4

Fixed Partial Denture (FPD)

A dental prosthesis that replaces missing teeth in a partially edentulous arch and cannot be removed by the patient.

Abutment

A tooth or implant that serves as an attachment for a fixed partial denture.

Pontic

The artificial tooth on an FPD that replaces a missing natural tooth.

Retainer

Extra-coronal restorations cemented to or attached to the abutment teeth or implants in an FPD.

Connectors

The portion of a fixed partial denture that unites the retainers and the pontic.

Saddle Pontic

A pontic design that has a large concave contact with the ridge, making it difficult to clean.

Modified Ridge Lap Pontic

A pontic design that gives the illusion of a tooth while allowing for easier cleaning.

Ovate Pontic

A rounded-end pontic design indicated for esthetics, appearing to emerge from the ridge.

Conical Pontic

A pontic design suitable for thin mandibular ridges, easy to clean but not for broad ridges.

Hygienic Pontic

A pontic design that does not contact the edentulous ridge, allowing for hygiene but may trap food.

Bounded Pontic

A pontic supported on both ends by retainers.

Cantilevered Pontic

A pontic supported on one end only, not ideal due to increased forces on the abutment.

Rigid Connector

A connector that must be strong enough to prevent movement and bending in an FPD.

Marginal Integrity

The closeness of the restoration margin to the finish line of the preparation, ensuring a sealed margin.

Retention

The ability of a restoration to prevent displacement along the path of insertion.

Resistance

The ability of a restoration to prevent displacement along planes outside of the path of insertion.

Ante’s Law

The principle that the root surface area of the abutment teeth must be equal to or greater than that of the teeth being replaced.

Provisional

A temporary prosthesis designed to enhance esthetics and function until a definitive prosthesis is placed.

Indirect-Direct Technique

A method for provisional fabrication involving shell creation and intraoral adjustments.

Treatment Plan

The sequence of procedures planned for a patient's treatment after diagnosis.