Dental Bridges
Dental bridges replace missing teeth by "bridging" the gap between
two remaining teeth. You and your dentist can discuss the different types of
bridges to choose the best option for you:
· Traditional bridges, also called fixed bridges—the dentist
creates a pontic, or false, tooth with a dental crown on either side. The
crowns are fitted over the remaining teeth to hold the false tooth in place.
· Resin bonded bridges—the pontic tooth is fused to a metal
band. The metal band, in turn, is bonded to the back of the remaining teeth
with white resin cement.
· Cantilever bridge—dentists recommend this bridge when there
are only teeth on one side of the gap. While traditional bridges have a crown
on either side of the pontic, cantilever bridges consist of two side-by-side
crowns and only one is connected to the pontic.
To design a bridge, a dentist must first shrink, then reshape the teeth to
make room for the crowns. He or she then makes a mold of the teeth. This mold
is then sent off to a laboratory, where the actual crowns and bridge are made.
With proper oral hygiene, bridges can last up to ten years. However, improper
or infrequent brushing and flossing, irregular dental visits, and excessive
sugar and starch intake can all bring untimely damage to the bridge.
Find A Cosmetic Dentist
|
