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You've undoubtedly crossed a bridge at least once in your life, but you might not have thought much about its purpose at the time. A bridge is a functional way to close the gap between one point and another. When it comes to replacing missing teeth, a dental bridge serves much the same purpose: It literally "bridges" the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
That's a good thing because missing teeth can cause surrounding teeth to shift, which may change your bite or make your jaw sore. Shifting teeth create new places for dental plaque to hide, increasing your chances of gum disease and tooth decay.
But if you have missing teeth, you might be most glad to hear that dental bridges serve an aesthetic purpose -- they allow you to show off your beautiful smile without shame or fear that your missing tooth is what people will remember.
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Dental Bridge Basics
Unlike removable devices such as partial dentures, a dental bridge is cemented onto natural teeth or dental implants on either side of the missing tooth. These anchor teeth are called abutments. The replacement tooth -- called a pontic -- is attached to dental crowns that cover the abutments. There are three main types of dental bridges:
Traditional Bridge -- This is the most common type of dental bridge and is made of porcelain or porcelain fused to metal.
Cantilever Bridge -- The cantilever bridge supports the replacement tooth from just one side. It is most often used when abutment teeth are located on only one side of the missing tooth or in areas of mouth that are under less stress.
Maryland Bonded Bridge -- Also known as a resin-bonded bridge, this dental bridge is generally only used in the front of the mouth where the biting force is less strong. It consists of a false tooth fused to metal bands and bonded to abutment teeth with resin.
Replacement teeth for dental bridges can be made of several materials, including gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these. You and your dentist can decide which is best for you based on the placement, function, look and cost of the replacement tooth.
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Bridging the Gap
A minimum of two dental visits are required for a dental bridge. During the first visit, your dentist may need to file down the abutment teeth so that the dental crown will fit over each leaving enough room in between for the replacement tooth. Your dentist will then take an impression to provide a laboratory with an exact mold to use when creating your dental bridge. Your dentist will make a temporary bridge to protect the exposed teeth and gums while your dental bridge is being made.
During the second appointment, your dentist will remove your temporary dental bridge and the new permanent dental bridge will be put in place. Placement usually involves some adjustments to get the fit just right.
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Make a Lasting Impression
Dental bridges can last more than 10 years, especially if you practice good oral hygiene. Remember: Dental bridges require healthy surrounding teeth and gums to stay in place. To keep all of your teeth healthy, brush twice a day and floss daily. Regular dental visits and dental cleanings are recommended twice a year.
If you have one or more missing teeth, a dental bridge might be the right treatment for you. To find out if a dental bridge is the permanent solution for your missing teeth, call us at 1-866-970-9853 -- we'll search for a dentist who meets your dental needs.
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