My Dentist recommends a dental bridge – what does that mean?

[Tariq Drabu]

So, you’re just minding your own business, getting an evaluation at the dentist for the gap that was left behind when you took a tennis racket to the mouth when the words “dental bridge” come up. “Okay, what now?” you think to yourself. “What exactly is a dental bridge?!” While it may sound complex to, as the name implies, build a bridge between two or more teeth, a dental bridge is a simple, effective, and permanent tooth replacement option for that annoying and unsightly tooth gap.

What is a dental bridge?

Simply put, a dental bridge is a crown (or a set of adjacent crowns) that occupies the space created by one or more missing teeth. In other words, it bridges the gap between your real teeth using artificial teeth.

If you’re looking to fill in a gap where you’ve lost a tooth but don’t particularly like the idea of dental implants or partial dentures, dental bridges are a great alternative. Besides being a worthy substitute to implants and dentures, they also serve to protect your jaw alignment, which, in turn, improves jaw function.

Because every patient’s situation is unique, your dentist will recommend one of several types of dental bridges, depending on the health of surrounding teeth, the number, and size of gaps that need to be closed, and your preferences.

The most common types of dental bridges include:

• Traditional bridges: Traditional bridges consist of two crowns with a pontic in the middle. The pontic is the artificial tooth between the two crowns. It is inserted into the gap while the crowns are attached to healthy teeth on either end to secure the artificial tooth in place. Traditional bridges can include one, two, and sometimes even more pontics.
• Resin-bonded bridges: Resin-bonded (also known as Maryland bonded) bridges are when the crown is fused to wings made of metal or another material. These wings are fastened to your natural teeth on either side of the gap. Maryland bridges are often used on the front of your mouth.
• Cantilever bridges: Cantilever bridges are typically used when there is only one healthy tooth available on a single side of the gap to anchor the bridge. For example, if you have two adjacent molars missing.

 

What is the procedure?

First, you’ll have x-rays and an evaluation done on your teeth. Can’t build a house without a blueprint, right? For most bridge types, the dentist will then take some enamel off the teeth surrounding the gap in order to accommodate the crowns and an artificial tooth (or teeth). Once the enamel is removed, you’ll receive a temporary bridge while a mold of the damaged section of your teeth is sent down to the lab, where the bridge and crowns are custom made. Once the permanent bridge is ready, the temporary bridge is removed and you get your permanent bridge is permanently cemented into place.

What else should I know about dental bridges?

Dental bridges are a great solution to tooth loss. The maintenance isn’t tedious either! Be sure to regularly floss around and underneath your bridge and practice the good oral hygiene you would perform on your natural teeth. With proper care, your dental bridge should last a decade or more.