A patient needs an anterior fixed bridge from a lateral incisor to a first premolar. Which pontic design is most appropriate?

Correct answer: C. Modified ridge-lap

• A. A conical pontic is used on thin/knife-edge mandibular posterior ridges, not in the anterior esthetic zone.
• B. A sanitary (hygienic) pontic stands clear of the ridge for easy cleaning but is unesthetic — used only in non-visible posterior areas (e.g., mandibular molars).
• C. Correct. In the esthetic zone, the modified ridge-lap pontic gives the illusion of a natural tooth emerging from the ridge on the facial side while keeping the lingual surface convex and CLEANSABLE — the best blend of esthetics and hygiene.
• D. A full saddle/ridge-lap pontic overlaps the ridge on both facial and lingual surfaces, trapping plaque and being impossible to clean — it is contraindicated.