What is a Dental Bridge?

A dental bridge is a long-term solution for replacing a missing tooth or teeth. It’s made up of numerous components that are fused together to fill the gap left by your missing tooth or teeth. Bridges consist of 2 abutment teeth that are on either side of the pontic or artificial tooth. 

Abutment: These two teeth can either be two dental crowns placed on natural teeth or artificial teeth that are attached to dental implants. Abutment teeth are made from porcelain.

Pontic: The pontic tooth or teeth are the teeth in the middle of the bridge that replace the missing teeth. Pontic teeth are made out of porcelain and customized to fit your smile naturally. 

Why get a Dental Bridge?

Following the loss of one or more teeth, the remaining natural teeth begin to loosen, move, and go out of alignment, causing a domino effect that leads to other dental disorders. Chipped teeth, jaw difficulties, and bone and gum loss are more likely when our teeth are out of alignment. You can avoid many of these dangers by getting a dental bridge as soon as you can. 

The Dental Bridge Process

There are only two visits needed for the dental bridge procedure, whether you are using dental crowns as abutment teeth or utilizing dental implants. Regardless, we will take impressions and images of your teeth that will be used to determine the fit and size of the bridge. 

Traditional Dental Bridges

If it has been decided that a traditional bridge is best for you, we will prepare the abutment teeth. To do this, we will remove the enamel and some of the dentin to make room for the crowns to sit comfortably. A temporary bridge will be created and placed on the abutment teeth to protect them while making the bridge. 

Dr. Patel will then send impressions and other details surrounding the bridge to a dental lab to create the bridge. 

We will remove the temporary bridge in your second appointment and check the crowns and bridge for placement. The crowns will then be cemented onto the prepared adjacent teeth if all looks and feels well. 

Implant-Supported Dental Bridges

To place the implant-supported bridge, only two visits are needed, but it takes longer to complete. First, the implants need to be surgically placed into your jaw bone and healed for the bridge to be placed. Healing time varies, taking anywhere from four to six months.

Once you have healed, the bridge will be completed and be ready for fitting and placement. 

Although both types of dental bridges can be permanent, implant-supported bridges offer more stabilization due to them being embedded into your bone. 

Contact Thayer Dental Care

Dental bridges are an excellent option when looking to restore your smile after missing teeth. For residents in Thayer, Missouri, who have been searching for the best option for their smile, please give us a call to learn more about dental bridges. Working together, we can help restore your smile while improving your overall oral health. 

Come in and see us today for all your dental wants and needs.