A dental bridge is a false tooth that replaces one or several missing teeth in a row. At The Dentists LLC, the bridge is cemented in place by the dentist and is made up of crowns on both ends, with the center being a prosthetic tooth that fills in the gap caused by the missing tooth or teeth. These bridges can be made from various materials, including porcelain and metal alloys. The procedure generally takes a few visits, depending on the patient’s mouth and the number of teeth needing treatment and replacement.
Types of Bridges
Dental bridges are ideal for patients who have lost one or several teeth due to decay, gum disease, or injury and want to restore the function and appearance of their smile. Bridges are sets of dental crowns linked together to cover gaps between two or more teeth and are secured in place by attaching to healthy teeth adjacent to the space. Once in place, your bridge will restore your ability to eat and speak correctly and help support the facial muscles for a more youthful appearance by reducing the chance of sagging skin around your mouth and face.
Traditional fixed bridges are created with crowns on either side of the gap in your mouth and are cemented into place over the abutment teeth. Cantilever bridges are used when there is only one tooth or implant on one side of the space and are usually secured by a crown on only one side. Maryland bonded bridges are also made up of two crowns joined together by a metal band attached to the backs of the neighboring teeth. Due to their design, these bridges will not require the preparation of the natural teeth to place the crowns.
The Dental Bridge Procedure
A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth attached to two dental crowns. These crowns are placed on the teeth surrounding the missing tooth or teeth. Each crown is modified in shape and appearance so that it can be used to hold a natural-looking restoration in place. The dentist will take an impression of the mouth to create a model of each crown. This model is used to mill custom restorations for each tooth. Once both crowns have been made, they are connected to create a complete dental bridge supported by the surrounding natural teeth.
If you are missing teeth and want to learn if a bridge could be the right solution, visit The Dentists LLC at 870 Palisade Avenue, Suite 301A, Teaneck, NJ 07666, or call (201) 836-2720 to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today!
