---
title: "What Is Pontic? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A pontic is the artificial tooth in a dental bridge that fills the space where a natural tooth is missing."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pontic
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Dentures and Bridges

# Pontic

A pontic is the artificial tooth in a dental bridge that fills the space where a natural tooth is missing.

A bridge has two kinds of parts. The pontic is the false tooth, and the supports are called abutments. Cleveland Clinic says pontics are the artificial teeth that fill in the gap left behind by missing teeth. A bridge may have one pontic or several in a row. Pontics can be made of porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a mix. They are shaped to look like the missing tooth and to let you clean beneath them. Special floss threaders or a water flosser help you clean under the pontic, because food and plaque can collect there. Your dentist will talk with you about the right fit for your mouth. See [abutment tooth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/abutment-tooth), [dental bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-bridge), and our [dental bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-bridge) page.

[Town Center Dental can helpDental Bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-bridge)

## Related terms

-   [Abutment tooth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/abutment-tooth)
-   [Dental bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-bridge)
-   [Maryland bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/maryland-bridge)
-   [Cantilever bridge](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/cantilever-bridge)
-   [Water flosser](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/water-flosser)

## Sources

1.  [Cleveland Clinic: Dental Bridges: Types & Who Needs Them](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10921-dental-bridges)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)