Dental Bridges

What are Dental Bridges?

A dental bridge is a type of prosthetic that is worn to correct the look and structure of the smile. If you are completely missing one or more of your teeth and don’t want to have an implant placed, a dental bridge is your next best option. Dental bridges can last for years with proper care and hygiene. Their main purpose is to improve the look of your smile while restoring order and structure to your teeth.

Why do you need Dental Bridges?

An exam is needed to help determine if a dental bridge is right for you. Most often, if you feel that you would benefit from a dental bridge, you will be recommended to have one placed. Some of the reasons you may need a dental bridge include:

• You are completely missing one or more teeth next to each other
• You aren’t a viable candidate for implant surgery or don’t want to have implants placed
• You want to correct your smile to improve everyday function

A patient who is a good candidate for a dental bridge is someone who is missing a tooth and wants to correct this issue without the need for implant surgery. Dental bridges often have two abutments that get attached to surrounding teeth and a pontic, or fake tooth, in the middle. The bridge can last for years, so it’s a great option for patients who are looking for a long-term solution. The procedure is commonly performed in the office, so you can feel confident in your results.

What happens during the procedure for Dental Bridges?

First, the surrounding teeth are filed down to make room for the bridge to be placed. Next, impressions are made and sent off to a dental lab for the bridge to be made for you. You will be sent home with a temporary bridge that can restore temporary function to your smile. Once the new bridge has been created, you’ll come back into the office to have it permanently attached to the surrounding teeth. Because the surrounding teeth will have been filed down, the crowns of the bridge will be placed on those teeth and will bridge the gap of the missing tooth. The crowns will be permanently cemented onto the filed down teeth and the bridge will give restored appearance and functionality as if it were your natural tooth. With proper care, you can expect your new bridge to last for years. If your bridge becomes loose, it can be re-cemented in our office right away.

If you think you may need a dental bridge, call our office so that we can better assist you and answer your questions regarding this procedure.