title: Tissue response to posterior denture base-type pontics.
abstract: Several factors have been presented that must be evaluated when selecting an appropriate posterior pontic design. Because of the controversy that exists with regard to using posterior denture base pontics, a long-span fixed partial denture was followed for 14 months. Results indicate that tissue health can be maintained, while tissue proliferation is inevitable. There is no one posterior pontic design that can be used to satisfy all requirements. Optimal pontic design can be accomplished only if each situation is evaluated on an individual basis and an appropriate design selected. Further controlled longitudinal clinical research of pontic design is mandatory for expansion of the ability to predict optimal prognosis.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003819:Denture Bases; D003779:Denture Design; D003834:Denture Precision Attachment; D003781:Denture Retention; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology*