Prosthodontics Question Bank

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1. Ante's law states that the combined periodontal root surface area of the abutment teeth should be equal to or greater than which of the following?

Ante's law is a guideline stating that the combined root surface area of the abutment teeth should equal or exceed that of the teeth to be replaced by the pontics. It is used to assess whether abutments can withstand the additional occlusal load. Though not absolute, it remains a useful clinical reference for abutment selection.

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2. Which abutment tooth generally has the largest root surface area, making it a favorable abutment?

The maxillary first molar has a large multi-rooted anatomy providing extensive periodontal support and root surface area. This makes it a strong abutment for fixed partial dentures. Multi-rooted teeth generally offer greater resistance to occlusal forces than single-rooted teeth.

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3. The crown-to-root ratio considered optimal for a tooth to serve as an FPD abutment is approximately:

The optimal crown-to-root ratio for an FPD abutment is generally considered to be 2:3. A ratio of 1:1 is regarded as the minimum acceptable under most conditions. A more favorable (smaller crown, longer root) ratio provides better support against leverage forces.

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4. A pier abutment refers to:

A pier abutment is an isolated (intermediate) abutment situated between two edentulous spaces with pontics on either side. This configuration can create a fulcrum effect leading to stress on the terminal retainers. A nonrigid connector is often incorporated to reduce these stresses.

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5. A nonrigid connector is most commonly indicated in an FPD design that includes a:

When a pier abutment exists, the physiologic tooth movement and mesiodistal flexure can create leverage forces that may loosen the terminal retainers. A nonrigid connector placed on the pier abutment allows some independent movement, reducing these stresses. It permits the segments to move somewhat independently.

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6. In a nonrigid connector, the keyway (mortise) is typically placed on which surface of the abutment?

The keyway (mortise, female component) of a nonrigid connector is conventionally placed on the distal aspect of the pier abutment. The key (tenon, male component) is attached to the distal pontic. This orientation allows the connector to seat with occlusal loading rather than disengage.

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7. The dovetail portion of a nonrigid connector that fits into the keyway is called the:

The tenon, also called the key or male component, is the projecting dovetail portion that seats into the keyway (mortise). Together they form the nonrigid connector. This allows limited movement between the two components of the FPD.

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8. A sanitary (hygienic) pontic is best indicated for replacing which teeth?

The sanitary or hygienic pontic does not contact the residual ridge, leaving space for easy cleaning. Because esthetics are less critical in the mandibular posterior region, this pontic design is well suited there. The gap beneath it facilitates plaque control and tissue health.

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9. Which pontic design provides the best combination of esthetics and cleansability for the maxillary anterior region?

The modified ridge lap pontic combines the esthetics of overlapping the ridge on the facial aspect with the cleansability of a reduced tissue contact area. It contacts the ridge only on the facial portion, avoiding the concave, plaque-retentive form of a full saddle pontic. This makes it the preferred design for esthetic anterior areas.

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10. The ridge lap (saddle) pontic is generally discouraged because it:

The full ridge lap or saddle pontic overlaps both the facial and lingual aspects of the ridge with a concave tissue surface. This design is very difficult to clean and predisposes to tissue inflammation. For this reason it is generally avoided in favor of the modified ridge lap.