A dental bridge is a custom-built replacement tooth or teeth that fill the space where one or more teeth are missing. Dental bridges can be made of metal, porcelain fused to metal (PFM), porcelain alone, or all-porcelain.
The implant will fix your teeth and help keep your face in shape.
Your dentist can recommend which type of bridge is best for you based on your specific needs.
Missing teeth are a big deal. Teeth work together and do different things for you, like chewing and smiling. When one tooth goes missing, the neighboring teeth can shift and turn outwards which may make speaking or eating difficult.
If one of your lower teeth has gone missing, another tooth might slowly drop into the space. This may shift the position of your teeth and even denture or other fillings, which could affect how you bite. It could also put more pressure on muscles and have a negative effect on your oral health.
Teeth that have tipped or drifted apart from each other are also harder to clean. They pose more of a risk for tooth decay and gingivitis.
Missing teeth can lead to bone loss and may make other teeth loose, putting pressure on your jawbone and moving it in ways that can make you look older over time.
Fixed bridges are cemented in place and only a dentist can remove them. The construction is stable and the feel of it is very similar to your natural teeth.
A bridge replaces the missing tooth and is secured in place by metal crowns that attach to the teeth on either side.
Placing a bridge typically requires several dental appointments. Depending on your needs, one or more teeth may be prepared to hold the bridge. Let’s use the example of a bridge supported by two teeth:
An implant-supported bridge is a fixed tooth replacement which anchors to the bone using metallic posts. They are similar in function to healthy teeth roots. The bridge, which has replacement teeth mounted on a tooth-colored base, attaches to the attachment points of these metal posts. The implant-supported bridge doesn’t need support from the surrounding teeth.
Getting a dental implant requires surgery to set the post in place. Good candidates will have enough bone for the implant and be in good general health. Implants may be placed in one day or may require multiple visits depending on the existence of a previous infection, the availability of bone to hold the implant and your dentist’s treatment plan.
Bridges are created from metal, ceramic, or a mixture of both. Your dentist will talk to you about the materials that work best for your mouth and overall dental health.
A bridge can become loose if the support teeth or the jawbone are damaged by dental disease. Follow these tips for good oral health:
