Dental bridges are a form of dental restoration intended to bridge the gap caused by one or more missing teeth. If you’ve lost your teeth either due to injury, decay, or gum disease, to mention a few, it becomes essential to find a solution that will allow you to have the functionality and beauty of a full set of teeth. Bridges are an ideal solution for patients who are seeking something more permanent than conventional dentures.
A dental bridge typically has two parts: the crowns which go on top of the teeth on either side of the gap—also known as abutment teeth—and a false (pontic) tooth in between the crowns.
At OASIS Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics, we have restored the smiles of hundreds of patients in Houston. If you’re keen to find out what we can do for you to help you smile better and brighter, book an appointment with us today.
There are different types of bridges. The ultimate choice depends on the prevailing circumstances such as how many abutment teeth you have, and Dr. Arthur’s discretion, among others.
The most common types of dental bridges are conventional or traditional bridges. These are made of porcelain and metal. Dr. Arthur will install crowns on either side of the gap, either on the abutment tooth or your dental implants and then fix the false tooth in between.
Cantilever bridges are dental bridges which are preferred when you have teeth on only one side of the gap. In this case, Dr. Arthur attaches the crown to a single abutment tooth.
Maryland dental bridges, sometimes referred to as resin-bonded bridges, are a modification of the conventional bridge. Instead of using crowns that rest on the abutment teeth, these attach to the back of the abutment teeth using a metal or porcelain framework.
Typically, we require at least two appointments to restore your smile with bridges. The first appointment involves scoping the state of your teeth, including coming up with a mold or model of your teeth impressions. We will also recontour the abutment teeth usually by removing some enamel to make way for the crowns that we’ll fix later. To protect your teeth, we’ll give you a temporary bridge which you can place over the exposed teeth. During your second appointment, a permanent dental bridge replaces the temporary one.
If you’re in Houston, call OASIS Modern Dentistry & Orthodontics today to learn more about dental bridges.
