All About
Dental Bridges.
A Dental Bridge may be recommended if you’re missing one or more teeth. They span the space where the teeth are missing. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite.
A Dental Bridge is a fixed dental restoration also known as a fixed Dental Prosthesis. A Bridge is made up of two Crowns (see Crowns) for the teeth on either side of the gap – these two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth – and a false tooth (or multiple teeth) in between.
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These false teeth are called Pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental Bridges are supported by your natural teeth or Dental Implants (see Dental Implants). The amount and type of reduction done to the abutment teeth, varies slightly with the different materials used. The recipient of such a Bridge must be careful to clean well under this prosthesis.
While Crowns and Bridges can last a lifetime, they do sometimes come loose or fall out.
Types of Bridges:
1. TRADITIONAL DENTAL BRIDGES
2. CANTILEVER BRIDGES
4. IMPLANT-SUPPORTED BRIDGES
3. MARYLAND BRIDGES (no offered in any of the CosMediTour associated dental clinics).
Dental Bridge Procedure:
Preparation – Before either a Crown or a Bridge can be made, the tooth (or teeth) must be reduced in size so that the Crown or Bridge will fit over it properly.
After reducing the tooth / teeth, the Dentist will take an impression to provide an exact mold for the Crown or Bridge. If Porcelain is to be used, the Dentist will determine the correct shade for the Crown or Bridge to match the colour of your existing teeth.
The Dentist will make a model or impression of your teeth. This model is sent to a Dental Laboratory, which will construct your Bridge. A temporary Crown or Bridge will be put in place to cover the prepared tooth while the permanent Crown or Bridge is being made.
When the permanent Crown or Bridge is ready, the temporary Crown or Bridge is removed, and the new Crown or Bridge is cemented over your prepared tooth or teeth.