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Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a dental appliance designed to replace a missing tooth or teeth by joining dental crowns on the adjoining teeth.
In the dental bridge procedure, dental crowns are bonded on top of both abutment teeth and a false tooth is placed between them. When a dental bridge procedure is performed this way, it’s called a fixed dental bridge.
What is the procedure for placing a dental bridge?
Once it’s been decided that a dental bridge is the right treatment for you, the procedure requires two visits.
Appointment one
If you’re getting a traditional bridge, the first appointment involves impressions of abutment teeth being taken so dental crowns can be built for temporary dental bridges. The impressions of your teeth will be sent to the lab where the bridgework will be fabricated.
If you’re getting an implant-supported bridge, then you the implant will be placed at your first appointment. And a temporary crown placed to protect the area.
Appointment two
At the second appointment, your dentist will remove any temporary dental crowns attached to abutment teeth and cement your permanent fixed dental bridge in place.
After a short wait for the dental adhesive to set, you’ll be given instructions on taking care of your oral health as well as information about avoiding sticky or chewy foods that might dislodge your new dental bridge.
If you have dental implants, the temporary bridgework will be removed and the implant-supported porcelain single-tooth fixed dental bridges will be attached to the dental implants.
An alternative to using dental crowns is to use dental implant abutments and screw-retained porcelain single-tooth bridges that attach to the implants instead of the adjacent teeth. For patients who are eligible for implant-supported bridges, this is a great option as it means your teeth aren’t affected by the placement of dental crowns. And also, implants placed into the jawbone help with maintaining healthy jawbone density and reducing the chance of further tooth loss.
FAQs
Think of implants and crowns as two parts of whole artificial tooth.
A dental implant acts as an artificial tooth root. Types of crowns, bridges and dentures can be attached to a dental implant, giving you—essentially—a whole tooth replacement.
Dental crowns can last between 5 and 30 years. It largely depends on how well you take care of your oral health. Another factor is, of course, the material used to place the dental crown, and how well the crown is placed.
With any dental restorative work, it’s important you visit your dentist every 6 to 12 months. Part of these check-ups will be to ensure the continued health of your dental restoration.
You can get a traditional bridge, which is a false tooth attached to two dental crowns. Or you can get an implant-supported bridge.
The implant-supported bridge has many good health benefits, and is—many cases—the better of the two options.
However, it comes down to a question of your oral health and your budget. When you speak with your dentist or oral surgeon they can let you know what the best option for you is.
If you would like to know more about dental crowns, or bridges, or you would like to request an appointment, please contact us today.