“I Need To Replace My Tooth. What Should I Do?”
Bridges are restorative dentistry options used to close spaces between teeth and have and have remained as one of the most popular and cost-effective approaches for the restoration of missing teeth. The term ‘bridge’ comes from the way this prosthetic is created and held in place. On either side of the space where the missing teeth used to be, the remaining teeth are filed down and used as mounting points for the bridge. These two mounting points are used to secure the bridge, which consists of two crowns and the prosthetic for the missing teeth. Two styles of bridges exist, with one being able to be removed for cleaning by the patient, and the other only being removed during dental visits for cleaning by the hygienist. Another name for bridges is ‘fixed partial denture’ due to their semi-permanent nature.
Crowns and bridges are both available in a variety of materials, including metal, porcelain bonded metal, and porcelain. Porcelain crowns and bridges mimic the appearance of natural teeth nearly perfectly, the material’s translucent nature bearing a striking resemblance to enamel. Porcelain bonded metal shares this trait, though there is a risk of the porcelain chipping away from the metal. This style also occasionally has the metal base visible near the gum line.
During your first visit at our dental office, we will be taking pictures of the area for assessment to determine the right shape and color for your tooth.
You will consult with one of our dentists about your aesthetic goals.
We will administer local anesthesia around the surrounding teeth to prepare for your dental bridge, and a temporary bridge will be placed for protection while the bridge framework is being created by our dental lab.
We will remove the temporary bridge and try on the framework to make it is functioning properly. We will make sure it is comfortable for you at this time.
A new impression will be taken and sent back to our dental lab for the final ceramic application.
The final ceramic bridge will be bonded into place, and we will check at this time for function and aesthetics.
Proper care will guarantee that your dental bridge lasts a long time. With proper care, these can last over 25 years.
Our environment at Dunwin Dental is warm and welcoming to make coming to your appointment feel like dropping in to see old friends.
We offer a range of treatment options from general dentistry to cosmetic dentistry while focusing on a positive patient experience.
You are in control of your oral care journey. Here, we empower you to make informed decisions about your dental care.
