Restore and Complete Your Smile with a Dental Bridge
Do you feel self-conscious because of gaps in your teeth? Have you ever held back a smile or laugh to hide an incomplete smile? A dental bridge might be the perfect solution for you. This custom-made oral prosthetic is permanently fitted by your dentist. The most common type is supported on both sides by dental crowns placed over your natural teeth. While not all patients are candidates for dental bridges, there are various types and other options available to restore your smile to its natural state. Lose the gap and smile confidently again.
What to Expect
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 teeth on both sides of the gap. The area will be numbed with a mild anesthetic for your comfort. The supporting teeth will be reshaped to fit crowns. We’ll take an impression or a 3D scan to ensure your bridge matches your natural smile perfectly.
Long-lasting Benefits
- Get your dental bridge on the same day
- Enjoy a comfortable bite
- Reduce speech problems
- Minimize the risk of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and bone loss
- Chew food without discomfort
- Prevent teeth from shifting and avoid TMJ disorder
- Gain confidence in your smile
- Improve and even out your facial structure
- Durable: modern bridges can last over a decade with proper care
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
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. At 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.
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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