Dental Bridges
What Are Dental Bridges, And How They Work?
If you have lost one or more consecutive teeth in an arch and want a fixed restoration, you may consider dental bridges. A dental bridge is a custom-fabricated appliance consisting of two or more prosthetic teeth that are fused together. It relies on the support of the neighboring healthy teeth or dental implants.
The prosthetic teeth that anchor to the adjacent teeth or implants are called abutments, and those that replace the missing teeth are called pontics. Once a bridge is in place, it functions as your natural teeth, making it easier to bite and chew food. It also enhances smile aesthetics and improves overall facial appearance by filling the missing gaps.
Questions About Dental Bridges
How Many Types of Dental Bridges Are There?
There are different types of dental bridges, each having their own benefits and drawbacks. Our dental experts will select the one that best suits your needs.
- Traditional bridge: It consists of one or more artificial teeth that are held in place by the support of adjacent teeth on either side. The abutment teeth are covered by crowns that fuse with the pontics. These supporting teeth must be healthy to retain a traditional bridge.
- Cantilever bridge: It has a close resemblance to a traditional bridge but only has a crown on one side of the gap. We recommend it when natural teeth are present only on one side of the gap. However, it is not as durable and strong as a conventional bridge.
- Maryland bridge: This bridge uses metal or porcelain wings instead of crowns to attach to the adjacent natural teeth. The wings connect to the back of the abutment teeth. We may suggest this type to replace front teeth, as it is not strong enough to withstand the chewing forces of back teeth.
- Implant-supported bridge: This type utilizes the support of dental implants instead of natural teeth. The implants fuse with the bone and provide a stable base for the artificial teeth (pontics). For this reason, this bridge does not require the support of natural teeth.
What Is The Procedure Of Getting A Dental Bridge?
The process of getting a new dental bridge is simple and usually takes two to three visits to our dental practice. It involves the following steps:
- Consultation and examination: In the first visit, we will examine your teeth and gums to determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment. We may also record X-rays, impressions, or digital scans of your teeth to plan the best type of bridge for your teeth.
- Preparation of abutment teeth: If you opt for a conventional bridge, we will need to prepare the teeth that will support it. This involves removing some of the enamel from the abutment teeth to make room for the crowns that will hold the bridge in place. Our team will provide a temporary bridge to cover the prepared teeth.
- Fabrication of the bridge: We will send the impressions or scans of your teeth to a dental lab, where technicians will design your bridge according to the given specifications. This process may take 7 to 10 days.
- Placement of the bridge: When your bridge is ready, we will remove the temporary covering and check the fit of the permanent one. Our dentists will make adjustments if needed. Finally, we will cement the bridge onto the abutment teeth using a special adhesive and recheck its fit to ensure that it aligns with your bite.
Patient Testimonials
See what out happy patients have to say about us
Took my 7 month old in for his first visit and everyone was so helpful and made the first visit so easy . Lisa in the front was so helpful answering any question I had and was so nice to me and my baby ,as well as made checking out easy and fast . Nora in the room was so patient and made sure my child was comfortable.
Karina and Lisa were very attentive in the front ! Nora, Juana, Alex were attentive to my treatment needs ! Dr. Dang is the best DANG dentist !!! He’s was very detailed with my treatment! He took his time to make sure I was comfortable through out my whole dental treatment!! Thank y’all !!
ruly and very satisfied with my dental appointment, I hadn't gone to the dentist in about 8 years because I had a bad experience. I switched my entire family to be seen with Dr.Dang, him and his team are great. Nora the dental assistant was very nice and informative throughout the whole visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring a replacement tooth, called a pontic, to the natural teeth or implants on either side of the gap. It literally bridges the space left by missing teeth, restoring your ability to chew and speak comfortably while preventing nearby teeth from shifting out of place.
With good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, a bridge can last many years, often a decade or more. Brushing, flossing, and cleaning around the bridge as we show you all help extend its life. Routine checkups let us monitor the bridge and the supporting teeth so we can address any wear before it becomes a problem.
Caring for a bridge is similar to caring for your natural teeth, with brushing twice a day and daily cleaning underneath the bridge using floss threaders or interdental brushes. Keeping the supporting teeth and gums healthy is key to the bridge lasting. Regular professional cleanings and exams help keep everything in good shape.
What Are The Benefits of Having A Dental Bridge?
Replacing your missing teeth with a dental bridge can provide many long-term benefits, which include:
- It restores your smile and confidence by filling the gap with natural-looking pontics that match your tooth color and shape.
- It improves your chewing and speaking abilities by replacing the missing teeth with artificial ones.
- It prevents the adjacent teeth from shifting or drifting into the gap, which can cause bite problems, tooth decay, gum disease, and TMJ disorders.
- It preserves your facial structure and reduces the risk of bone loss at the site of the missing teeth.
- It offers a durable solution for tooth loss, which can last many years with proper maintenance.
How Do I Maintain A Dental Bridge After It Is Installed?
A dental bridge can help you replace several missing teeth, but in order to enjoy its benefits, you need to follow some special care instructions. Our dentists will give you detailed guidelines on how to clean and maintain your new prosthesis after placing it in your mouth. Some helpful tips include:
- Brush your teeth twice daily, paying extra attention to the area around the bridge to prevent plaque buildup and infection.
- If you have a high risk of cavities, we suggest using toothpaste with fluoride to protect the supporting teeth.
- You should also floss your teeth regularly, especially around and under the bridge.
- If you face difficulty in flossing, you can use a floss threader or water flosser for ease.
- Visit our dental practice regularly for checkups and cleanings.
- If your bridge requires repair or replacement, contact us immediately.
