A dental bridge is a false tooth that bridges the gaps in your smile. This false tooth, referred to as pontic, can be made from diverse materials such as gold, or porcelain, to aesthetically blend in your mouth.
A dental bridge is composed of dental crowns on either side of the missing tooth, which supports the prosthetic tooth. Hence, to get a bridge, healthy teeth are required on both sides of the missing tooth.
Benefits of a Dental Bridge
In case of a missing tooth, the nearby teeth move towards the empty space causing bite problems and chewing difficulties. Getting a bridge has the following benefits:
- Help your bite conveniently
- Prevent other teeth from moving towards the empty space
- Restore chewing and speaking ability
- Restore your smile and the overall aesthetics of your face
Structure of a Dental BridgeÂ
A dental bridge consist of 2 structures:
- Abutment teeth
The two adjacent abutment teeth provide support to the dental bridge. They are used to attach the bridge to teeth adjoining the gap, thereby holding the prosthetic in place and giving it the necessary stability.
- Pontic
It is the false artificial tooth that fills in the gap and attaches to the crowns, thereby replacing the missing natural tooth or teeth.
Types of Dental Bridge
- Conventional Dental Bridge
A traditional dental bridge is the most commonly used procedure that involves a pontic held in place by crowns cemented onto the abutment teeth. Placing a bridge through the traditional procedure demands natural teeth on both sides of the gap.Â
- Cantilever Dental Bridge
Cantilever bridges are not very common and are used only when there is one adjacent tooth next to the gap. This procedure is not recommended in the back of the mouth, as it can put more pressure on the neighboring teeth, resulting in further damage.Â
- Maryland Dental Bridge
Maryland dental bridges need two natural abutment teeth on both sides of the gap and are best suited for individuals with missing front teeth. They are made from porcelain fused to metal or ceramic teeth, supported by a framework, and bonded to the abutment teeth.
- Implant-supported Dental Bridge
In implant-supported bridges, the prosthetic tooth is supported by metal dental implants and is considered a more stable option. Also, the implant fills the gap left by the missing tooth root completely and prevents jawbone deterioration.
Process for Getting a Dental Bridge
In your first visit to the dentist, the abutment teeth are prepared to make room for a crown to be placed on them. Next, teeth impressions are made to fabricate the dental bridge. Until the permanent bridge is placed on the teeth, we will place a temporary bridge on it. During the next visit, we will remove the temporary bridge and place the permanent one on it, and bond it firmly using dental adhesives.
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Please reach out to our dental practice in Houston, TX, to have a consultation with our dentist, Dr. Seretti. Please call us at (281) 486-9440 or schedule an online consultation, and we’ll guide you further.
