In a dental bridge, what are the teeth being crowned referred to as?

In the context of a dental bridge, the teeth that are crowned to support the bridge are known as abutments. These are the natural teeth (or sometimes dental implants) that are adjacent to the gap created by missing teeth. The abutments provide stability and support for the bridge, which replaces one or more missing teeth.

The abutments are typically prepared by removing some enamel to make space for the crowns, which will then be placed over them to secure the bridge in place. This structural role is crucial, as the integrity and functionality of the bridge depend on the strength and health of the abutment teeth.

In a dental bridge, the terms "pontic" refers to the artificial tooth that fills the gap, while "retainer" can sometimes be used interchangeably with abutment or to specifically describe the component of the bridge that retains the pontic. "Filling" pertains to a different context related to restoring decayed teeth, not to the structure of a bridge.