Which pontic design is best suited for a mandibular premolar (good esthetics + cleansability)?

Correct answer: A. Modified ridge-lap pontic

• A. Correct – the modified ridge lap contacts only the facial ridge, giving good esthetics while keeping the lingual cleansable. Ideal for esthetic premolar/anterior areas.
• B. Incorrect. A conical pontic is reserved for thin mandibular ridges where esthetics is unimportant; for a mandibular premolar needing both esthetics and cleansability, the modified ridge-lap is preferred.
• C. Incorrect – most cleansable but unesthetic; reserved for non-display posterior areas.
• D. Incorrect – the saddle straddles the ridge and is impossible to clean; it is contraindicated.