Dental
bridge
A bridge is a dental device that fills a space that a tooth previously occupied. A bridge may be necessary to fix bite problems, prevent the shifting of teeth, or to ensure the strength and integrity of the surrounding teeth.
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Fixed bridges are the most popular and consist of a filler tooth attached to two crowns in order to hold the bridge in place - you likely are most familiar with this type. "Maryland" bridges are commonly used to replace missing front teeth, use tooth-colored metal bands bonded to surrounding teeth. Cantilever bridges use two crowned teeth positioned next to each other on the same side of the missing tooth.
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Regardless of your needs, we have a bridge solution that will work best for your smile.
When Would I Need a Dental Bridge?
Porcelain and composite dental bridges are often recommended for those who need to replace multiple teeth. These teeth typically can’t be restored with a typical filling or crown and require more extensive restoration.
We’ll help you decide if you need a partial dental bridge or if dental implants might yield better results. Be sure to ask about dental bridges when you encounter the following problems:
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Severely cracked or chipped teeth
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Knocked-out teeth
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Significant tooth decay
What are the Benefits of a Dental Bridge?
Unlike dental implants, bridges are a quick solution to missing teeth. Choosing dental bridges for front teeth means you won’t have to wear a temporary prosthetic for months while you wait for your real implants. Furthermore, dental bridges have no need for bone grafting or more invasive treatments.
All in all, dental bridges are much more affordable and much less time consuming than other options. However, you’ll have to weigh the shorter lifespan of dental bridges against the advantages before you make your decision.
Need help deciding? Life Point Dental is here for you every step of the way, helping you make the best decision for your oral health.
The teeth surrounding the bridge will need to be strong enough to support your new, artificial teeth. If not, our team will discuss alternative treatments with you.
Getting a Dental Bridge
The procedure to place dental bridges is a multi-step process. Before you decide on dental bridges, we want you to understand the basics of the procedure. Generally speaking, you can expect the following process:
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Our team designs a bridge to match the size and shape of your mouth
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We remove part of each anchor tooth to make room for the bridge
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Our dental experts create a model of your missing teeth to be used by a dental lab
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The dental lab fabricates your custom dental bridge
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We place a temporary bridge to wear while you wait
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Once your permanent bridge comes in, we’ll make the final placement and anchor it to the surrounding teeth