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.
Long-Lasting Benefits Of Dental Bridges
A missing tooth or teeth can leave us feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable. A dental bridge is a great way get your smile looking and feeling normal again, but it also offers long term benefits for your other teeth and the bone health of your mouth. To sum it up, here are the advantages of a dental bridge:
What to Expect
The process of placing a dental bridge is less invasive compared to dental implants, which appeals to those reluctant to undergo oral surgery due to missing teeth. Bridges offer an effective solution for individuals with gaps from one to three missing teeth, making them a preferred treatment option for many of our patients. If dental bridges are suitable for your needs, our dentists can complete the procedure in just one appointment.
Your First Appointment
In your initial appointment, we will administer local anesthetic to numb the area, and then prepare the adjacent teeth to support the bridge. Next, we’ll take either a dental impression or a 3D scan to create a customized bridge that blends seamlessly with your natural smile, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and functionality. While a temporary bridge is crafted on-site, the impression/scan will be sent to the lab. Approximately two weeks later, you’ll return to have the permanent bridge fitted.
Long-lasting Benefits
- Experience improved bite comfort
- Minimize speech difficulties
- Enjoy pain-free chewing
- Prevent teeth shifting
- Eliminate concerns 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
Margaret Bramhill
The Bloor West Dental Group is fantastic! Especially my dentist Jaclyn Chin- great service and I always leave feeling well taken care of!
Ulric Kaufmann
Dr. Poon Woo has been my dentist for the past 30+yrs. She takes her time in explaining any new work that I may require. My appointments always start on time. Her staff, both dental and admin, are top notch: professional and courteous. Her office is modern and has upgraded its technology and procedures as the years have gone by
David Raphael
I have been seeing Dr. Chin since she graduated. She is a compassionate and extremely skilled dentist. She always takes the time to explain what she is doing and answers questions in an easy and understandable manner.
The staff at the office is also fantastic, ranging from the secretaries to hygienists. Overall, a well run and great dental office !
