Dental Bridges

Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that help replace a section of missing teeth. They can restore the complete functions of your mouth while enhancing the aesthetics of your smile. They are designed to look and feel like your original teeth, thereby giving back your self-esteem.

A standard dental bridge consists of a filler tooth called the pontic that needs the support of two surrounding abutments to be held in place. As the dental bridges are custom-made to match the existing teeth' shades, they are barely noticeable and correct the bite relationship between the upper and lower teeth. Multiple crowns are used to create a bridge that spans the entire space of the missing tooth. A typical bridge requires at least three crowns, out of which two crowns will be secured over the healthy teeth on either side of the missing tooth. Healthy teeth are referred to as abutment teeth. The two crowned abutment teeth provide support for the third crown placed in between them; that third crown is called a pontic.   

The number of abutment teeth required to replace the missing teeth is determined by the number of missing teeth, the size and length of the abutment tooth roots, and the location of the missing tooth in the mouth.

How is a Dental Bridge useful?

• A bridge helps restore your mouth's normal functions, such as eating, chewing, and speaking.
• The shifting of the remaining teeth from their original spots is averted.
• The excess on the natural teeth is lessened.
• The shape and volume of your face are maintained.
• It serves as an alternative to other appliances such as a partial denture.
• The cosmetic appearance of your smile is improved.

What is the process for a Dental Bridge?

As a first step, you need to consult a dentist and have a detailed examination to decide if a bridge is the best solution for your problem. Before moving forward with the restorative procedure, any unresolved dental or gum issues need to be treated. Once you are deemed fit for the procedure, the teeth are prepared by scraping a portion of the tooth's enamel to make place for the new crowns. After the teeth are prepared, impressions of your smile are captured and sent to a dental lab for its fabrication. A temporary set will be provided for you to wear while the new bridge is being fabricated. When the permanent bridge is ready for installation, you will have to visit the clinic for its placement. The temporary bridge is taken out, and the permanent one is installed and checked for a correct bite before bonding it in place. The dentist will give the aftercare instructions for the proper maintenance of the bridge.

Call us at Robin Lambert Mells DDS or schedule an online appointment to know more about Dental Bridges.