If you have missing teeth, our dentist can bridge the gaps with dental bridges. A dental bridge is a false tooth (pontic) held in place by the teeth on either side of the gap.
A bridge is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap (these two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth) and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by your natural teeth or dental implants.
Dental bridges are used to restore the function of teeth, enhance a smile, fix a bite, prevent other teeth from moving (where there are missing teeth in between crowns), and/or to maintain the shape of one’s face, to name a few reasons. A traditional bridge is the most common type and is made of porcelain that is fused to ceramic or even metal. A resin-bonded bridge uses wings on each side of the bridge that are bonded to the existing teeth directly.
Depending on your situation and the type of bridge you receive, your bridge might consist of one or more abutments and one or more pontics.
When you visit our Empire Dental Clinic, the abutment teeth are prepared by our dentist by recontouring them and removing a bit of enamel. This is so that a crown can be successfully placed. Impressions are made and then used by a dental lab to create this bridge for you. While this permanent bridge is being made, a temporary one is worn to protect the teeth.
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Types of Dental Bridges Available
Cantilever bridges are used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth. This is not very common any more and is not recommended in the back of the mouth where it can put too much force on other teeth and damage them.
Maryland bonded bridges (also called a resin-bonded bridge or a Maryland bridge) are made of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, or plastic teeth and gums supported by a metal or porcelain framework. Metal or porcelain wings on each side of the bridge are bonded to your existing teeth.
Process for Getting a Dental Bridge
During the second visit, your temporary bridge will be removed and the new porcelain or metal bridge will be checked and adjusted, as necessary, to achieve a proper fit. Multiple visits may be required to check the fit of the metal framework and bite. This is dependent on each individual’s case. If the dental bridge is a fixed bridge, your dentist may temporarily cement it in place for a couple of weeks to make sure it is fitting properly. After a couple weeks, the bridge is cemented into place.
