Dental Bridges

Are you having a missing tooth? We can replace your lost tooth via a dental bridge. 

A dental bridge is a dental prosthesis/ appliance that replaces your missing tooth/ teeth via taking the support of adjacent teeth. While the adjacent teeth are called abutments, the artificial teeth are called pontics. 

The bridge is also known as FPD/ Fixed Partial Denture. At Dentalnook, we help you choose the bridge that suits your needs the most, tooth-coloured or metal or gold or a combination. Generally, the metal ones are the best when it comes to function, and ceramic ones are the best for looks. PFM/ Porcelain Fused to Metal falls in between; the gumline of the PFM bridge could look like a dark line at times. 

7 Advantages of a dental bridge

A dental bridge

• Gives you a confident smile
• Helps you chew and speak well
• Prevents misalignment and spacing between the teeth. When a tooth is extracted/ removed or falls, you need to replace it soon with artificial teeth/ pontic. Otherwise, gradually, the adjacent/ neighbouring teeth start drifting, and you see spaces in between your teeth. The opposite tooth also begins moving in the opposite direction as there is no tooth opposing it. Over a period of time, it affects the bite and chewing efficiency. 
• Prevents bone loss. Teeth ensures bone stays in good shape. Once there is tooth loss, bone resorption starts. You need to replace the missing tooth on time. Otherwise, it leads to excessive bone loss, which left untreated, then even dentures may not fit. 
• Keeps you younger. Replacing the missing teeth with suitable options on time keeps you feeling younger. 
• Maintains the shape of your face
• Distribute the biting force appropriately. When teeth are missing, you tend to bite from the side where most of your teeth are present. It leads to unequal biting forces in the mouth, leading to pain and bone loss. 

Bridge procedure

We examine your mouth, assess the condition of the abutments/ adjacent teeth and perform necessary procedures such as restorations/ fillings and gum health improvement if needed. 

Then, we prepare abutments for placing the bridge. 

We take the impression, prepare models called casts and fabricate the bridge in the lab. Meanwhile, we let you wear the temporary bridge to protect the prepared teeth. 

We make the trial, make the necessary adjustments if needed and then affix the bridge to the abutments via a bonding cement. 

Types of bridge

Here are four types of bridges.

Traditional bridge

This type of bridge takes the support of adjacent teeth on either side of the missing teeth. You can opt for all-ceramic or metal or PFM/ Porcelain Fused to Metal or gold bridge based on your preference.

Implant-supported bridge

In case an abutment/ supporting tooth is missing, a traditional bridge takes the support of an implant. 

*An implant is fixed to your jaws just like a permanent tooth. It has a metal base that is surgically placed in your jaw and a crown placed over it.  

Maryland bridge

It is also known as a resin-bonded bridge. 

Here we don’t place a crown on the adjacent teeth. Instead, the pontic has wings made of resin or metal firmly affixed to the adjacent teeth. It saves your natural tooth structure.

Cantilever bridge

This is a type of bridge when the abutment/ adjacent tooth is present only on one side of the missing teeth, for example missing posterior/ last teeth. 

This type of bridge is currently not much recommended as it puts undue pressure on the abutment and can damage it. 

How long does the bridge last? 

It can last forever if you maintain dental hygiene well. Brush twice a day, floss every day, and have healthy foods. 

Be punctual with your follow up visits. 

Visit us at Dentalnook today for the best bridge that suits your needs the most.