A bridge is dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. It is made up of two crowns called Abutments, with an artificial tooth (or teeth) called a Pontic that is fused between the two crowns. The Pontic or artificial tooth can be made from gold, alloys or a combination of materials.
Why do I need a bridge?:
- The teeth surrounding the vacant area, including the teeth above or below, will eventually tip or over erupt into the vacant area. The position of these moving teeth is unnatural for them and can cause various problems that can lead to tooth loss.
- Teeth are designed for particular functions. If there is an area that has a missing tooth, that area will not function properly.
- The main reason for a bridge is appearance. The bridge techniques and materials used at Dentistry on Sinclair result in a very natural looking replacement for your missing teeth.
What to expect at your appointments:
A bridge usually requires only two appointments.
At the first appointment, the supporting teeth on either side of the vacant area are prepared for the bridge, impressions of the area and the opposing area are taken and a temporary bridge is fabricated and placed until the permanent bridge is ready. It will take approximately 2 weeks for the lab to complete the final bridge and have it sent back to the office.
At the second and final appointment, the temporary bridge is removed and the permanent bridge is fit, adjusted and cemented.
The length of time a bridge will function depends on many factors including the condition of the supporting teeth, the patient’s oral hygiene and the patient’s diet.
What can a bridge do for you? A bridge can:
- Restore your smile
- Restore your ability to properly chew and speak
- Maintain the shape of your face
- Prevent remaining teeth from moving
Replacing missing teeth will help preserve other teeth and allow you to maintain proper oral function.