Fixed Bridges

A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance and is an excellent way to replace missing teeth.

There are several types of bridges. You and your dentist will discuss the best options for your particular case. The “traditional bridge” is the most popular type and is usually made of porcelain fused to metal. This type of bridge consists of two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth), filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth.

Dental bridges are highly durable and will last many years, however they may need replacement or need to be re-cemented due to normal wear.

Reasons for a fixed bridge:

§ Fill space of missing teeth.

§ Maintain facial shape.

§ Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.

§ Restore chewing and speaking ability.

§ Restore your smile.

§ Upgrade from a removable partial denture to a permanent dental appliance.

What does getting a fixed bridge involve?

Getting a bridge usually requires two or more visits. While the teeth are numb, the two anchoring teeth are prepared by removing a portion of enamel to allow for a crown. Next, a highly accurate impression (mold) is made which will be sent to a dental laboratory where the bridge will be fabricated. In addition, a temporary bridge will be made and worn for several weeks until your next appointment.

At the second visit, your permanent bridge will be carefully checked, adjusted, and cemented to achieve a proper fit. Occasionally your dentist may only temporarily cement the bridge, allowing your teeth and tissue time to get used to the new bridge. The new bridge will be permanently cemented at a later time.

You will receive care instructions at the conclusion of the procedure. Proper brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new, permanent bridge.

Implant Bridges

Bridges Aren’t Just for Teeth

When most people think of “dental bridges”, they are thinking in the traditional sense where you have a single missing tooth, and you use the tooth in-front and the tooth behind to anchor a replacement for the missing tooth.

Implant Bridges

If a person is missing multiple teeth in an area of their mouth, it sometimes makes sense to place dental implants and use the implants instead of teeth as anchors for a bridge. And even though you are using implants and not natural teeth, the concept is the same. Accordingly, in the case of a patient who is missing three teeth, you can place two implants, and use these two implants to support a three-tooth bridge.

Implants Bridges Need Fewer Implants

Consider the patient above who is missing three teeth. One option would be to place three implants, while another option would be to place an implant bridge with two implants.

As in a traditional tooth-supported fixed bridge, the risk of having any bridge is that if one of the anchor teeth fails, then the entire bridge needs to be redone. In the case of dental implants, if one of the anchor-teeth implants fails, then that implant would have to be replaced, and the implant bridge would have to be redone.

Considerations

The goal of all implant treatment is to provide our patients with healthy, stable dental implants that last for decades, and thus the decision of whether or not to replace three missing teeth, for example, with a two-implant bridge or three single implants is something that we discuss on a case-by-case basis. For example, in patients where the quality of bone is not as ideal as we’d like it to be, but where we can still place implants with a good prognosis, it might make more sense to place three implants now instead of a two-implant bridge. And while the cost of three implants is greater than the cost of a two-implant bridge, having three implants helps minimize potential future time and expense replacing an implant bridge.

Summary

We have many ways to use dental implants to help you replace missing teeth and restore your ability to smile and to chew! Regardless of whether or not we use an implant bridge or dental implants, we have a solution for you. Call or contact us today to schedule an appointment or to learn more.