A Dental Bridge Can Restore and Complete Your Smile
Do you ever feel slightly self-conscious as a result of gaps in your teeth? Have you ever laughed or grinned with friends, and then reined in your own enjoyment to cover an incomplete smile? A dental bridge may be just what you need. A dental bridge is an oral prosthetic that is custom made and permanently fitted by your dentist. The most common type of dental bridge is supported on both sides by dental crowns placed over your natural teeth. Not all patients are candidates for dental bridge placement, but there are many types of bridges and several other options to restore your smile to its natural state. Lose the gap for good and stop holding back.
What to Expect
Dental bridge placement involves a less invasive procedure than that of dental implants, making it an attractive alternative for individuals who are missing teeth but are hesitant to undergo oral surgery. As bridges can be placed in areas where 1 to 3 teeth are missing, they are an effective treatment option for the majority of our patients with dental gaps. If dental bridges are right for you, only one appointment with our dentists will be required for the procedure.
Your First Appointment
During your first appointment, we will prep the teeth on both sides of the gap where the false tooth or teeth will be inserted. The area will be numbed using a mild anesthetic for optimum comfort. The teeth that will support your new bridge will be carefully reshaped to accommodate crowns. We will either take an impression or a 3D scan which we will use to tailor your bridge to your natural smile so that when it’s ready it will slip perfectly over the teeth on either side of the gap.
Long-lasting Benefits
• Get your dental bridge in the same day
• Enjoy a comfortable bite
• Reduce speech problems
• Minimize chances of tooth decay, periodontal disease and bone loss
• Chew food without discomfort
• Stop your teeth from shifting and prevent TMJ disorder
• Stop worrying about your smile
• Improve and even out your facial structure
• Long-lasting –modern bridges can last longer than a decade with proper care
Frequently Asked Questions
There are three main types of bridges:
Porcelain Dental Bridge
Cosmetic dentists have been creating traditional bridges for a number of years. The traditional bridge is used when a crown or implant is created on either side of the missing tooth. It is the most common type of bridge and typically is made of a porcelain core that is covered with a porcelain finish.
Cantilever Dental Bridge
These bridges are used in specific cases when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth. The cantilever bridge normally requires two teeth to anchor to, to ensure enough support to properly anchor the bridge.
Maryland (Resin Bonded) Bridge
This bridge is structured with wings that are bonded to existing teeth on each side of the bridge. This bridge is commonly used to replace front teeth, frequently missing due to a sports injury or an accident.
There are different types of dental bridges – permanent and semi-permanent. Bridges are sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures, because they are semi-permanent and are bonded to existing teeth or implants.
To begin the process of creating and placing a dental bridge, the existing teeth need to be prepared, as they will act as the anchor or “abutment” for the bridge.
An impression or 3D scan is taken to create a bridge that is tailor-made for your smile.
Once your bridge is ready we will test fit and then permanently cement the bridge into place. It’s important that your bridge feels natural and completely comfortable.
Maintenance is the next critical step. We will give you instructions on the proper care of your bridge and look forward to seeing you at a follow-up or your next routine exam.
The whole process usually takes one appointment. Your teeth will be examined and prepared. Your exact measurements will then be used to create a custom, natural-looking bridge. We carefully test fit your bridge first to ensure it works for you before we cement it in place.
Bridges can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Out our clinic we primarily use porcelain for our dental bridge procedures.
Sometimes, people use the terms dental bridge and crown interchangeably. The reality is they have different functions. Dental crowns are prosthetic caps that are placed over broken, chipped, or worn teeth. They are effective in strengthening the teeth and preventing tooth decay. Dental bridges are designed to bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
