San Antonio Veneers and Implants

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is a permanent appliance used to replace a missing tooth between two teeth; it has the look and feel of natural teeth. A gap between your teeth can be potentially dangerous to your dental health causing your teeth to shift. This results in a change in the way you bite down that can lead to pain and TMJ problems. Dental bridges help alleviate this problem by using the two surrounding teeth as anchors to hold a false tooth in the place where the gap exists.
 
 
Dental Bridges
There are three types of dental bridges that are commonly used today

1. Traditional fixed bridge - This is the most common type of dental bridge, in which porcelain crowns are placed over the two surrounding teeth and used as anchors to hold the false tooth in place. The false tooth is usually made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramic.

2. Cantilever bridge – A cantilever bridge is used when teeth are present on only one side of the open space. These are used typically in areas of your mouth that experience a lighter chewing load.

3. Resin-bonded bridge - In a resin-bonded bridge, metal bands are bonded to the surrounding teeth with resin and used to hold an artificial tooth in place. This type of bridge is also typically used in areas of the mouth that undergo less stress.
 
How it's done.
A minimum of two visits are required for placing a dental bridge. At the first visit, three important steps are completed. The surrounding teeth are prepared to be fitted with a crown.  Next, an impression is taken of the area and sent to the laboratory to make appliance. Finally, the dentist will place a temporary appliance to protect the area while the bridge is being prepared at the laboratory.

At the second visit, the temporary appliance is removed and the new bridge received from the laboratory is fitted and adjusted. Additional visits may be necessary to check and adjust the fit.
 
Bridges are typically placed as a result of:
  • Loss of a tooth (teeth)
  • Injury or trauma
  • Congenital defects
  • Periodontal disease