Dental Bridges can replace missing teeth and bridge the gap!
A dental bridge is created to resemble and feel like a natural tooth (or teeth), and is used to repair the space formerly occupied by a missing tooth (or teeth).
Dental bridges can be made to replace one lost tooth or to fill the space left by a few teeth in a row. A dental bridge will be created in each case to blend into the mouth and is therefore unnoticeable to others.
This bridge is made up of a false tooth attached with metal or tooth coloured ‘wings’ on either side. These wings are designed to be bonded to the teeth on either side. With
minimal amount of tooth preparation and a small amount of drilling, the teeth are prepared and a very strong composite resin is used to attach the bridge.
A pontic (supporting false tooth) is inserted between two crowns that are anchored to the adjacent teeth (abutments), making this the most popular form of bridge. The pontic is usually made of either porcelain fused to metal, or ceramics. These are fixed and cannot be removed.
You’ll need at least two visits. The first is to have the tooth/ teeth prepared, impressions taken, shade matched and possibly a temporary bridge placed. The second visit is to place and cement the final bridge. Between these two appointments, you may expect 1 to 2 weeks’ downtime.
Your teeth are linked. If a tooth is lost, the neighbouring teeth may shift towards the empty space. Teeth in your opposite jaw can move up or down away from or towards the gap. This might lead to the following problems:
First visit is to prepare the tooth/ teeth, take impressions and match the shade. The
impressions/ scan are sent to the dental laboratory which uses the mould or scan as a
template to produce your bridge, false teeth and crowns. To protect the exposed areas
in your mouth, while the lab creates your bridge, the temporary bridge/ crowns may be
placed.
Your dentist will take out the temporary bridge or prepare the teeth during your second
visit and replace it with the permanent bridge. Then your dentist will thoroughly inspect
the bridge and make any necessary modifications to ensure that it is appropriate for you.
Dental bridges are a very common solution for missing teeth. Dentists have used them for many years.
Spinney Brook Dental Practice,
Studio 4,
Diamond Business Centre,
3 Attley Way,
Irthlingborough,
NN9 5GF
