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What does the term "pontic" refer to in dental terminology?

  1. A type of dental extraction

  2. An artificial tooth part of a bridge

  3. The shape of a tooth

  4. A dental cleaning procedure

The correct answer is: An artificial tooth part of a bridge

The term "pontic" refers specifically to an artificial tooth that is part of a dental bridge. In dental prosthetics, bridges are used to replace missing teeth, and the pontic serves as the replacement tooth that fills the gap where a natural tooth has been lost. The pontic is anchored on either side by abutment teeth, which are the natural teeth or implants that provide support for the bridge. This terminology is crucial in understanding dental restoration processes, as it describes a key component in restoring functionality and aesthetics in a patient's smile following tooth loss.