Aesthetic Rehabilitation of the Anterior Maxilla Utilizing Ovate Pontic Design: A Clinical Case Report
Author : Dr. Poonjee Gupta, Dr. Narendra Padiyar U and Dr. Ajay Gupta
Abstract :
The prosthetic rehabilitation of missing anterior teeth constitutes a complex clinical challenge, particularly within the maxillary aesthetic zone where alveolar ridge resorption, papillary loss, and buccal plate collapse following extraction frequently compromise peri-gingival architecture and esthetic integration. Although implant-supported crowns are considered the gold standard for single-tooth replacement owing to their osseointegration, high survival rates, and alveolar bone preservation, their indication is limited in cases of inadequate bone volume, proximity to vital anatomical structures, systemic contraindications, or financial constraints. Conventional pontic configurations, including ridge-lap and modified ridge-lap designs, provide only partial esthetic restitution and often fail to maintain interdental papillae or establish a harmonious emergence profile, thereby limiting biological compatibility. The present case report aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of an ovate pontic design as a biologically driven and esthetically predictable alternative. A 56-year-old female presenting with a grossly carious maxillary lateral incisor was managed via atraumatic extraction, immediate provisionalization with a polymethyl methacrylate ovate pontic, and sequential modification of the provisional restoration to condition peri-gingival tissues. After a three-month healing interval, a definitive 5Y-TZP zirconia prosthesis incorporating an ovate pontic was fabricated and luted with resin-modified glass ionomer cement. Clinical evaluation demonstrated preservation of papillary height, maturation of peri-gingival contours, and establishment of a natural emergence profile, culminating in high patient satisfaction. Within the limitation of a single case, this report substantiates the ovate pontic as a scientifically validated, biologically favorable, and cost-effective alternative to implant therapy in the anterior maxilla, though long-term multicenter trials remain necessary to confirm its predictability.
Keywords :
Ovate pontic, anterior esthetics, zirconia fixed partial denture, gingival architecture, prosthodontic rehabilitation.
