Restore and Complete Your Smile with a Dental Bridge
Feeling self-conscious about gaps in your teeth? A dental bridge could be the solution. This custom-made prosthetic is permanently fitted by your dentist, typically supported by crowns placed over your natural teeth. While not everyone is a candidate for dental bridges, there are various options available to help restore your smile. Say goodbye to gaps and smile with confidence again.
What to Expect When Getting a Dental Bridge
Dental bridge placement is a less invasive alternative to dental implants, making it a great option for those missing teeth but hesitant about oral surgery. Bridges can effectively replace 1 to 3 missing teeth, making them suitable for many patients. If a dental bridge is right for you, only one appointment is needed for the procedure.
Your First Appointment
During your first visit, we will prepare the supporting teeth on both sides of the gap by reshaping them to fit crowns. A mild anesthetic will be used for your comfort. We’ll take an impression or a 3D scan to ensure your bridge fits perfectly with your natural smile.
Long-lasting Benefits
A dental bridge offers several long-lasting benefits. The procedure can be completed in just one appointment, providing you with a comfortable bite and reducing speech issues. It helps minimise the risk of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and bone loss, allowing you to chew food comfortably. A dental bridge also prevents teeth from shifting and helps avoid TMJ disorder. Not only will it enhance your confidence with a restored smile, but it can also improve your facial structure. With proper care, modern dental bridges are durable and can last over a decade.
Contact Us Today
Schedule an initial consultation and exam with us today. During your consultation, we will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, and soft tissues, as well as assess the shape and condition of your bite. Our goal is to understand the overall health and functionality of your mouth. Before planning your treatment, we want to know everything about your smile’s health and aesthetics. Most importantly, we want to understand your goals so we can help you achieve them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, there are three main types of dental bridges:
- Porcelain Dental Bridge: This is the most common type, typically made with a porcelain core covered with a porcelain finish. It is used when a crown or implant is created on either side of the missing tooth.
- Cantilever Dental Bridge: This type is used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth. The cantilever bridge requires two teeth to anchor to, ensuring enough support for the bridge.
- Maryland (Resin Bonded) Bridge: This bridge has wings bonded to existing teeth on each side of the gap, making it a popular option for replacing front teeth, often due to sports injuries or accidents.
Dental bridges can be either permanent or semi-permanent. Semi-permanent bridges, also known as fixed partial dentures, are bonded to existing teeth or implants, whereas permanent bridges are designed for long-term use with stronger, more durable attachment methods.
To create a dental bridge, the existing teeth, which will act as anchors or “abutments,” are prepared. An impression or 3D scan is then taken to ensure the bridge fits perfectly to your smile. Once your custom bridge is ready, it will be test-fitted for comfort before being permanently cemented into place. After placement, we provide maintenance instructions to ensure proper care and encourage follow-up appointments.
The entire procedure typically takes one appointment. During this visit, your teeth are examined and prepared, and precise measurements are taken to create a natural-looking bridge. We will carefully test fit the bridge before permanently cementing it.
Dental bridges can be made from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. At our clinic, we primarily use porcelain to ensure a natural and aesthetic result for your dental bridge.
While dental bridges and crowns are sometimes used interchangeably, they serve different functions. A dental crown is a prosthetic cap placed over a broken, chipped, or worn tooth to strengthen it and prevent decay. A dental bridge, on the other hand, is used to bridge the gap caused by missing teeth, filling in the space with a prosthetic tooth.
Dr. Alexandra Zapata
Lead Dentist
Your Dental Bridges Lead Dentist
Dr. Alexandra Zapata practiced dentistry for over 18 years in Colombia and has been practicing dentistry in Canada since 2017 after completing the NDEB equivalency process, and Canadian Board exams, and obtained her license with The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario to practice in the province of Ontario. Dr. Zapata is now an asset to Two Lakes Dental. She is known for her gentle touch, charisma, and amiable personality that bring to our practice the high quality of care and the most comfortable dental experience.
She is fluent in Spanish and English. Dr. Zapata has her Fellow in Oral Surgery, and a diploma in Cosmetic Dentistry from Santiago de Cali, Colombia. Dr. Zapata is committed to continuing education completing training in different fields of dentistry and a mini-residency in Implantology. She is an active member of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), Ontario Dental Association (ODA), Canadian Dental Association (CDA), and The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)
When not in the office, Dr. Zapata enjoys dancing, cooking, and traveling with her family on hiking/camping trips.
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