Alafaya Center for Cosmetic and Family Dentistry

Bridges

What is a bridge?

A bridge is a dental restoration that literally bridges the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap – these two anchoring teeth are called abutments and the false tooth/teeth in between is called a pontic.

Dental bridges can be made from gold, porcelain fused to metal, or all porcelain. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth or implants.

What Are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?

Bridges can:

• Restore your smile
• Restore your ability to properly chew and speak
• Maintain the shape of your face
• Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
• Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position

What Types of Dental Bridges Are Available?

There are three types of dental bridges:

Traditional bridges

Traditional, or as they are sometimes called conventional bridges, involve creating a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the missing tooth, with a pontic in between.

Traditional bridges are the most common type of bridge and are made of either porcelain fused to metal or all ceramic. Whenever it is possible to avoid reshaping healthy teeth to fill a gap, Dr. Michaelson will recommend dental implants.

Implant Retained Bridge

An implant retained bridge is very similar to a conventional bridge. lt is implants that serve as the abutments and not the teeth.

An implant exists on either side of the gap and a bridge spans the space replacing the missing teeth. An implant supported bridge will look and feel alot like your natural teeth and is a strong dependable restoration.

Maryland bonded bridges

Maryland bridges are more conservative than a conventional bridge. Years ago they were a cutting edge restoration.

Today they are placed less frequently because they are not highly aesthetic and can come off. At the first Dr. Michaelson will make a mild preparation to the backside of the teeth on either side of the space.

He will take an impression and send it to a dental laboratory to be custom crafted under magnification. The laboratory fabricates a pontic with “wings” that adhere to the back of the teeth Dr. Michaelson prepared. On the second visit Dr. Michaelson will bond the bridge into place.

While these restorations are conservative For those reasons Dr. Michaelson is cautious when recommending them.

What Is the Process for Getting a Dental Bridge?

During the first visit for getting a dental bridge, Dr. Michaelson will prepare the abutment teeth.

Preparation involves re-contouring these teeth by removing a portion of enamel to allow room for a crown to be placed over them. Next, impressions of your teeth are made, which serve as a model from which the bridge will be made by a dental laboratory.

Dr. Michaelson will make a temporary bridge for you to wear to protect the exposed teeth and gums while your bridge is being made.

During the second visit, your temporary bridge will be removed and the new permanent bridge will be checked and adjusted, as necessary, to achieve a proper fit.

Once adjusted, Dr. Michaelson will cement the bridge in place.