Dental Bridge
When you’ve lost one or more teeth, a dental bridge can replace them. Bridges are dental appliances that are custom-made to restore the natural contour of your bite and give your smile a natural appearance. They are semi-permanent and are bonded to existing teeth or dental implants.
The benefits of dental bridges include:
- Restoration of your smile
- Restoration of the ability to chew and speak properly
- Support of the natural shape of your face
- Bite correction by replacing the missing teeth
- Keeping the remaining natural teeth in place
Bridges can be made of porcelain, gold alloys or combinations of materials. They’re sometimes called fixed partial dentures. There are several types of bridges, including conventional bridges, which create a crown for the tooth on either side of the missing tooth with a pontic in between; cantilever bridges, which are used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth; and resin-bonded bridges, which have metal or porcelain wings that are bonded to your existing teeth. Unlike false teeth, once your permanent bridge is bonded, your dental bridge can only be removed by your dentist.
Because the bridge is often bonded to the surrounding natural teeth, it’s important to keep your remaining teeth healthy. Having a strong oral hygiene program will help prevent tooth decay in the supporting teeth. With good oral care and regular checkups, your bridge can last five to 15 years or even longer.
If you think you’re a good candidate for a dental bridge, make an appointment today!