A Dental Bridge Can Restore and Complete Your Smile
Do you ever feel slightly self-conscious as a result of spaces between your teeth? Have you ever laughed with friends, and then reined in your own enjoyment to cover an incomplete smile? A dental bridge may be an option for you. A dental bridge is an oral prosthetic that is custom made and permanently cemented by your dentist. The most common type of dental bridge consists of a fake tooth to fill the space, supported on both sides by dental crowns placed over your natural teeth. Not all patients are candidates for dental bridge placement, but there are several other options to restore your smile to its natural state.
What to Expect
Dental bridge placement involves a less invasive procedure than that of dental implants, making it an attractive alternative for individuals who are missing teeth but are hesitant to undergo oral surgery. As bridges can be placed in areas where 1 to 3 teeth are missing, they are an effective treatment option for the majority of our patients with dental gaps. If dental bridges are right for you, only one appointment with our dentists will be required for the procedure.
Your First Appointment
During your first appointment, the area will be numbed using local anesthetic and the teeth on both sides of the gap will be prepared to support the bridge. We will either take a dental impression or a 3D scan, which we will use to design your bridge to match your natural smile in order to achieve a seamless fit and optimal function. A temporary bridge will be fabricated chairside, and the impression/scan sent to the lab. After approximately two weeks, you will return to insert the permanent bridge.
Long-lasting Benefits
• Enjoy a comfortable bite
• Reduce speech problems
• Chew food without discomfort
• Stop your teeth from shifting
• Stop worrying about your smile
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are three main types of bridges:
Traditional
The traditional bridge is used when crowns are prepared on the teeth adjacent to the space. It is the typically is made with porcelain and/or metal.
Implant-Supported
Implant-supported bridges are made when 2 or more implants have been
placed in optimal areas in order to replace 3 or more teeth. Impressions of the implants are taken to fabricate a bridge to re-establish the dentition in these areas.
Cantilever
The cantilever bridge may be an option in specific cases when there are
adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth. The cantilever
bridge may require two teeth to be prepared on one side of the space to
ensure enough support for the bridge.
Maryland (Resin-bonded)
The Maryland bridge may be an option when there is enough space between
the bottom and top teeth to allow for minimal preparation of teeth. Wings are prepared in lieu of crowns, and these wings can be cemented to the existing teeth adjacent to the space. This bridge is most commonly considered as an option to replace front teeth.
There are different types of dental bridges – permanent and semi-permanent. Bridges are sometimes referred to as fixed partial dentures because they are semi-permanent and are bonded to existing teeth or implants.
To begin the process of making and cementing a dental bridge, the existing teeth, on either side of the space need to be prepared, as they will act as the anchors or “abutments” for the bridge.
An impression or 3D scan is taken to create a bridge that is tailor-made for your smile.
Once your bridge is complete, we will check the fit, aesthetics, and function. The bridge is then permanently cemented into place. It’s important that your bridge feels natural and completely comfortable.
Maintenance is the next critical step. We will give you instructions on the proper care of your bridge and look forward to seeing you at a follow-up or your next routine exam.
The whole process usually takes two appointments.
In the first appointment, your teeth will be re-examined and prepared. The impression or 3D scan will be taken and sent to the lab. A temporary bridge will be made chairside and you will be able to leave.
Approximately two weeks later, you will return to try on your final bridge and have it cemented in.
Bridges can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials.
Sometimes, people use the terms dental bridge and crown interchangeably.
Dental bridges are usually made with multiple crowns. Crowns are metal or
porcelain caps that are placed over broken, chipped, worn teeth or teeth that have had root canals. They are effective in protecting the remaining tooth structure from potential or further fracture. Dental bridges are typically two or more crowns, attached by a fake tooth to “ bridge” the gap in the mouth.
What Our Patients are Saying
Sinda Abbott
For over 30 years we have enjoyed the polite and cheery good attitudes of all of the dentists and staff at Bloor West Dental Group. On my visit today I was marvelling at the advances in technology in dentistry and Bloor West have kept up with and use that technology to our (the patient) advantage. Thanks for the fabulous dental service.
p.s. - I love the text/email reminders!
Andrey V
Excellent service, friendly staff. The best office in Toronto. Highly recommend.
Hannah Weinstangel
We are so happy with the care given by Dr. Chin to our whole family. She is kind, knowledgeable, and skilled. Our preschooler actually looks forward to going to the dentist - which says a lot about Dr. Chin’s approach! We recommend her to all our friends. The staff at Bloor West Dental Group are also consistently kind and helpful, and we have always had good experiences with the hygienists who do our teeth cleaning.
