How Does a Dental Bridge Work?
Dental bridges are a dental restoration procedure that helps replace missing teeth. Rather than being directly implanted into your jaw, dental bridges use adjacent natural teeth as anchors. If you are unsure if a dental bridge will solve your problem with missing teeth, please consult your dentist or book an appointment for a dental examination.
The staff at Highland Woods Dentistry is equipped to answer any of your inquiries and help you discover the most appropriate solution to your dental restoration needs.
What Are Dental Bridges?
A dental bridge is a permanent dental prosthesis that replaces one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges are typically created by an artificial tooth being fused between 2 dental crowns. The bridge will span the area of your mouth that has no teeth.
A dental bridge is fastened in your mouth by being firmly held in place by your natural teeth on each side of the area that is missing teeth. Dental bridges can also sometimes be held in by dental implants.
When Are Dental Bridges Required?
Dental bridges are an option to replace a missing tooth or teeth. You may require a tooth extraction if your teeth have sustained a substantial impact or damage. If a tooth that has been damaged cannot be repaired, it most likely will need to be replaced by using a dental bridge or dental implant.
A dental bridge may also need to be implemented if a tooth has been subject to severe tooth decay. If the tooth has decayed past the point of being able to be repaired, a dental implant or dental bridge can be used to replace the decayed tooth after it has been removed.
The Difference Between Dental Bridges & Dental Implants
A dental bridge is held in place by the surrounding natural teeth on both sides of the area with missing teeth. A single dental bridge can also be used to replace multiple missing teeth in one area of the mouth.
Dental implants are artificial roots made of titanium that become implanted into the jaw to replace the natural roots of a missing tooth. An artificial tooth or teeth can then be attached to the dental implants and held in place similarly to a natural tooth.
How Dental Bridges Are Done
First, it needs to be determined whether or not you have healthy enough teeth on either side of the area with missing teeth to sufficiently hold the bridge in place. If you have 2 healthy teeth that can support the bridge, they will be filed down and prepared for the bridge. If your teeth are not healthy enough, or you do not have enough teeth to support the bridge, you may need to get 1 or more dental implants to act as an anchor for the bridge.
Once your teeth have been prepared for the bridge, your dentist will make a model of your teeth by taking impressions and creating a mold of your teeth. The mold will be used to make the artificial tooth/teeth and the 2 crowns that make up a dental bridge. While your permanent bridge is being made, you will be provided with a temporary bridge to protect your mouth until your second appointment.
Once your permanent bridge is ready, your dentist will call you into our office to remove the temporary bridge and place the permanent bridge into your mouth. The crowns of the bridge will either be cemented to your natural teeth or your dental implants beside the area with missing teeth.D
Types of Dental Bridges
Traditional Bridges
This type of bridge is used when there are natural teeth on both sides of the area where teeth are missing. In some cases, your dentist may recommend getting a dental implant instead of a bridge to prevent you from having to alter your natural teeth through filing and preparation for the bridge.
Implanted Bridges
An implant bridge is used if the surrounding teeth of the treatment area are not healthy enough to support a bridge or do not have the necessary amount of teeth required to support a traditional bridge. These bridges are held in place by dental implants rather than natural teeth.
Resin-Bonded Bridges
This type of bridge can sometimes be used when the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are pristine. There is very minimal preparation to the supporting teeth, and the metal bands of the bridge are bonded to the back of natural teeth.
Cantilever Bridges
Cantilever dental bridges can occasionally be used to replace a front tooth where there are minimal chewing forces. With a cantilever bridge, only one of the adjacent teeth is used to support the artificial tooth.
Finding the Right Dental Bridge For You
If you are unsure of what dental bridge is appropriate for your specific circumstances, please do not hesitate to come into our office for an examination. The team of professionals at Highland Woods Dentistry can consult with you on if a dental bridge is an appropriate solution for your needs, and can help discern what type of dental bridge you may require.