Dental Bridge
If you have missing teeth, it’s important to replace them as soon as possible to improve the appearance of your smile and restore the full functionality of your bite.
Failing to replace missing teeth can lead to a variety of oral health issues over time, so it’s much better to address the problem early by choosing a suitable tooth replacement option.
A dental bridge can be an ideal solution if you have gaps between your teeth. It consists of a prosthetic tooth that “bridges” the gap, with crowns placed on the adjacent teeth (called abutment teeth) and a false tooth (pontic) secured in between. This helps restore both the appearance and function of your smile.
What are the various kinds of Bridges?
- Traditional Bridges: This is the most commonly used type of dental bridge. In this procedure, the crowns are secured on the abutment teeth, and an artificial tooth is placed in between the crowns. The artificial teeth are most often made of porcelain or ceramics that are fused to metal.
- Cantilever Bridges: These types of bridges are used when there is only one abutment tooth available. This type of dental bridge is not recommended for the back teeth as it can damage the other teeth.
- Maryland Bonded Bridges: In this method, the artificial tooth is glued to your abutment teeth by placing wings on both sides of the bridge.
What is the process of getting a Dental Bridge?
We can typically provide a dental bridge in just a couple of visits. During the first visit, we’ll prepare the supporting teeth by shaping them to make space for the dental bridge. After preparing the teeth, we’ll take a 3D scan to ensure a precise fit. A temporary bridge will be placed while a custom-made bridge is created by our specialized dental lab.
Once the permanent bridge is ready, you’ll return for the fitting appointment. During this visit, we’ll remove the temporary bridge and securely cement the custom bridge in place.
What are the advantages of a Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges offer several benefits for suitable candidates:
- They restore the appearance of your smile, filling in gaps caused by missing teeth.
- With proper care, a dental bridge is a durable, long-lasting solution that can serve you for many years.
- Bridges help restore your chewing ability, allowing you to eat comfortably again.
- They also improve speech and pronunciation, which can be affected by missing teeth.
- A dental bridge helps prevent neighboring teeth from shifting out of position. Teeth that drift can be harder to clean, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease.
