Bridges
In the unfortunate circumstance that you lose a tooth, a bridge can be an excellent option to replace it.
A bridge, also called a fixed bridge or a fixed dental prosthesis, is a dental restoration that replaces one or more missing teeth. It extends across an area with no teeth and is typically made up of an artificial tooth fused between two crowns. The bridge is held firmly in place by your teeth on each side of the missing one(s) or by dental implants. A bridge is permanent and cannot be removed.
Types of Dental Bridges
There are different types of dental bridges. We will recommend the most appropriate one depending on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth) and the condition of your teeth, mouth, and gums.
Traditional Bridges
Traditional bridges are used if there are natural teeth on each side of the gap where the tooth is missing. However, as an alternative to a bridge, we may suggest a single implant to replace a missing tooth between two healthy teeth. An implant will prevent you from having to get your healthy teeth filed down in preparation for the crowns.
Implant Bridges
Implant bridges are used if you don’t have healthy teeth or enough to support a bridge or when several or all teeth are missing. A custom-made bridge is anchored to the dental implants. We will first determine if dental implants are right for you in this situation.
If you take good care of your bridge, it should generally last for about 10 years or longer. Like natural teeth, bridges need to be brushed and flossed every day. We will show you how to use a floss threader to floss under and around the artificial tooth (or teeth) in the middle of the bridge. Regular dental visits and professional cleanings are also important. If you have an implant bridge, we will show you how to properly care for them.
