What Is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge consists of three or more fused dental crowns that are created by lab technicians. Much like dental crowns, these restorations are crafted using the size, shape and color specifications of your natural teeth.
After filing down the teeth on either side of your gap, the prosthetic is cemented into place with the two outer crowns fitting over the anchoring teeth and the interior crown resting on top of your gums. This creates a beautiful, blended appearance that can last years with proper care and maintenance.
Types of Dental Bridges
If you are interested in getting a dental bridge, you have options to choose from. Depending on your unique situation and preferences, we may recommend a traditional dental bridge or an implant bridge. Both are designed to complete your smile with a beautiful and durable restoration!
Traditional Dental Bridges
As stated above, a traditional dental bridge is placed over the two remaining teeth on either side of the gap. They rely on the natural teeth to hold them in place. While traditional dental bridges don’t last as long as implant bridges, they require much less time and money to get.
Implant Bridges
Alternatively, your dental bridge could be supported by dental implants. These small titanium posts are embedded into the jawbone to replicate natural teeth. The dental bridge is then set on top of the dental implants instead of your natural teeth. This unique placement offers unmatched functionality and durability, but will have a higher cost and longer timeframe than a traditional dental bridge.
The Benefits of Getting a Dental Bridge
Your decision to fill in the gaps of your smile with a fixed bridge will ensure your bite force is evenly distributed, your natural, healthy teeth do not shift out of place, and your aesthetics are more beautiful than before. With proper oral hygiene care, your dental bridge can give you years of strong chewing ability and a healthy-looking smile. You’ll need to brush and floss around your bridge carefully to remove bacteria, debris, and plaque. A special floss threader will allow you to floss between the bridge and the underlying gum tissue to reduce the risk of plaque buildup here.