Dental Bridges - Repair, Cost and Information

What are Bridges?

In dentistry, a bridge is a type of denture that is designed to fill in for a single missing tooth anywhere in the mouth. The name of this type of implant refers to the fact that the denture is held into place by being affixed to the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. It is officially known as a fixed partial denture.

How do Bridges work?

Bridges work by attaching a custom designed pontic, or dummy tooth, into the gap left by a tooth that has been removed or which did not grow in properly. Typically, the surrounding teeth must be ground down slightly in order to accommodate the attachment mechanism. There are a variety of ways that bridges are attached to the teeth on either side of the gap, though they are commonly installed using dental cement.

What are Bridges used for?

Bridges are used to replace teeth that are decayed beyond the point of saving via treatments like caps or veneers. They are also helpful at providing a solid line of teeth in cases in which a tooth is missing, either as a natural physiological deformity or because the tooth has been removed or knocked out for some reason.

What are the advantages of Bridges over similar procedures?

Bridges provide a cosmetic advantage over caps and crowns, which are commonly used to restore teeth that have been partially damaged. Many bridges are made with plastic polymers and resins which are designed to not only look and feel like real teeth, but to be highly durable. Therefore, bridges can often last for many years, provided that the teeth do not shift position drastically.

Who is a candidate for a Bridge?

Bridges are typically only implanted into patients whose teeth are otherwise done growing and adjusting. Therefore, it's most common for a bridge to be provided to an adult patient who has all of his teeth intact. Bridges are not typically implanted in children, as the teeth are still growing and changing.

How is the procedure performed?

The first part of the bridge procedure involves making a molding of the teeth. This allows the dental surgeon to create the artificial pontic which will then be placed into the mouth later on. During the second portion of the procedure, the abutting teeth are typically partially ground down under anesthetic in order to provide adequate room for the implant to fit into the mouth. The bridge is then fastened into place using dental cement. In many cases, the bridge will also contain a portion of polymer designed to be grafted onto the abutting teeth in order to further strengthen the stability of the implant.

What will the results be like?

In successful cases, the implant will look and feel very much like a real tooth. Although there may be some initial restrictions on the food and drink that you can consume, in time the implant will allow you to eat and drink as normal.