bridges

bridging the gap

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap and a false tooth in between. They are most often used in cases where there is not enough supporting bone structure for an implant. Over the past ten years, newer materials have greatly improved the appearance and functionality of the bridge.

If a dental bridge is part of your treatment plan, we will follow these steps.

• After an initial exam, we will prepare the adjacent teeth required to support the bridge. This may include either shaping them down or building them up.
• Next, we will take an impression of the prepared teeth in order to create a model. We will create a temporary bridge until the permanent bridge is ready.
• Your bridge will be made by a skilled lab technician to fit precisely. If it is near the front of the mouth, we will use a solid porcelain restoration. Away from the smile line, we can also use a zarconia-supported porcelain for greater strength. 
• On a second visit, we will fit and cement your permanent bridge.

Dental bridges can last 5 to 15 years and even longer. With good oral hygiene and regular checkups, it is not unusual for the life span of a fixed bridge to be over 10 years.

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