What Is A Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is essentially an artificial tooth that helps fill the gap in the gum after a tooth is broken or removed from the jaw.

Bridges replace a crown and are held in place by teeth adjacent to the space which also receive crowns. They are applied to the adjacent teeth using dental bonding agents or cement.

These days, we have dental bridges that look extremely natural, so no one even knows what they are. With the right care, a bridge can last many years.

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Is A Dental Bridge Right For Me?

Years ago, dental implants became the primary option for replacing missing teeth. It’s worth noting that not everyone can get dental implants. For instance, if you have eroded or weak jaws, implants won’t be the best fit for your bone structure.

Some people who have diabetes and other autoimmune diseases will not be able to use implants. For these people, bridges are the ideal choice.

Dental Bridges also work to replace teeth that have been lost due to breaking, decay, or an abscess. They can replace teeth that have been knocked out of your mouth physically.

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Different Types Of Dental Bridges

Dental bridges can be made from three common types of materials.

• Porcelain
  We have porcelain bridges, which are made completely from tooth-colored porcelain. They look the most natural, but their fragility means that they work safely on front teeth with the correct bite.
  
  
• Metal With Porcelain
  Metal and porcelain bridges are also available. These are made from metal covered in tooth-colored porcelain. They can work for the teeth at the back or front of your mouth. These bridges are very strong, and they can be made to look completely natural if planning and attention to detail are correctly applied during the making of the bridge.
  
  
• All Metal
  Then, we have all-metal bridges. These are the cheapest, but they’re also the strongest. They are often used in the back teeth as well. Note that they don’t look as natural as the porcelain bridges.
  

We can also classify bridges based on how they were fixed to the neighboring teeth and their general fit. Using this parameter, we have the following:

• Traditional Bridges
  These are the most common types of bridges. Essentially, they feature the teeth on either side of the gap being covered with dental crowns. Your false tooth, or teeth, are attached to teeth on both sides of missing teeth.
  
  
• Cantilever Bridges
  If you’re missing teeth at the back, it will be impossible to merely attach the bridge to the teeth on either side of the gap. This is where cantilever bridges come in handy.
  
  These bridges are attached to a crown on just one side of the gap. In some cases, there could be crowns on two to three teeth in the front as well. This way, they provide more support to the bridge.

It’s worth noting that cantilever bridges put some strain on the teeth that support them. So, Dr. White will need to check on them regularly to ensure an effective fit.

The Dental Bridge Procedure

Applying a dental bridge is a very simple process. The entire process begins with a consultation, where you and Dr. White will discuss the various types of bridges and decide the best one for you.

If you want to move forward with the procedure, you will need to make two more visits to complete the process. The first appointment will involve Dr. White preparing the teeth on both sides of the gap. Dr. White will file some parts of your enamel and reshape the tooth to ensure that the crown fits right in place.

Next, Dr. White will make an impression of your teeth, then send it to the lab where your custom bridge will be created. At the same time, Dr. White will cover your bridge area with a temporary crown to reduce any possible damage or pain you might experience.

During the last appointment, Dr. White will remove your temporary crown and set your new bridge in place. Any additional changes or adjustments that need to be made will be taken care of and Dr. White will ensure that your new custom bridge fits your mouth perfectly.

Your Free Consultation

If you feel that you might need a dental bridge, we would recommend that you fill the form below or give us a call to set up a free consultation with Dr. White. He will be happy to sit down with you and discuss anything about dental bridges and if they might help give you a brighter smile or a more positive outlook on life.