A bridge is a dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth by joining permanently to adjacent teeth or dental implants.
There are different types of bridges, depending on how they are fabricated and the way they anchor to the adjacent teeth. Conventionally, bridges are made using the indirect method of restoration however, bridges can be fabricated directly in the mouth using such materials as composite resin.
A bridge is fabricated by reducing the teeth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth by a preparation pattern determined by the location of the teeth and by the material from which the bridge is fabricated. In other words, the abutment teeth are reduced in size to accommodate the material to be used to restore the size and shape of the original teeth in a correct alignment and contact with the opposing teeth.
Treatment Process
During your initial consultation, we will examine the health of your gums and other teeth to evaluate if you are a candidate for a dental bridge. You will then be given a local anesthetic, after which we will prepare the teeth required to support the bridge. If the support teeth are badly broken down or decayed, we may have to build them up before they can be used as support teeth for the bridge.
We will make an impression of the prepared teeth. Your bridge will be fabricated on this cast by our skilled dental technologists so that it precisely fits the prepared teeth. While your bridge is being fabricated, you will be fitted with a temporary bridge so the teeth and gums can be protected from damage until the permanent bridge is made.
The dental bridge treatment will be completed during a second visit to our office. The bridge will be fitted and cemented.
We offer conventional metal based ceramic bridges as well as non-metal based, all-ceramic crowns that are customized to your mouth.
