Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are partial dentures that are used to replace missing teeth. Unlike regular removable dentures, dental bridges are permanent by design. They are often recommended by dentists as a way to prevent teeth from shifting and also as a way to restore a patient’s ability to chew and to speak normally. A dental bridge can be used to close a gap caused by a single missing tooth, or by multiple missing teeth,
Types of Dental Bridges
The type of dental bridge used by a periodontist might vary depending on the kind of gap that needs to be filled.
Three-Unit Bridge
A traditional dental bridge, also known as a three-unit bridge, is the most commonly used type. It is used when teeth are available on both sides of a missing tooth or teeth. The bridge itself consists of a false tooth, or pontic, that is sandwiched between two abutments or crowns. The crowns are designed to fit the teeth on either side of the missing tooth while the pontic itself fills the gap created by the missing tooth or teeth. A traditional dental bridge is typically made of porcelain fused with metal.
Cantilever Bridge
When adjacent teeth are available on only one side of a missing tooth or teeth, periodontists use what is known as a cantilever bridge. With a cantilever bridge, a pontic is attached to the adjoining teeth via one or two crowns.
Resin Bonded Bridge
Periodontists use another type of bridge, referred to as the Maryland bonded bridge, or resin bonded bridge, to close gaps in the front of the mouth. These kinds of dental bridges comprise of plastic teeth and gums that are attached to the adjacent teeth via the use of steel bands. In some cases, dental bridges are bonded into place using dental implants in the jaw.
Dental Bridge Procedure
Dental bridges require considerable preparatory work. In order to accommodate a dental bridge, periodontists first prepare the adjacent teeth. This is typically achieved by removing some of the enamel from the adjacent teeth and re-contouring them in order to accommodate the crowns. Impressions of the teeth are made and then used as a model to shape the pontic, the bridge and the crowns. Often, patients receive a temporary bridge while the permanent one is being built.
Sometimes, patients might need to make multiple visits to the dentists in order to adjust the bridge and to make sure it is properly aligned with the other teeth. Permanent bridges are cemented into place using dental cement once all the necessary adjustments have been made. With proper care, most fixed dental bridges can last between 10 and 15 years.
Learn more about dental bridges at WebMD!