Dental Bridges

What Is A Bridge?

A dental bridge is three or more crowns that are soldered together to replace a missing tooth or teeth. The bridge is permanently cemented into place. The materials used for a bridge include gold, porcelain fused to metal, or in the appropriate situation, porcelain alone.

Why Do I Need A Bridge?

Proper oral function and appearance are important reasons for having a tooth replaced with a bridge. Teeth are designed to complement each other. Unusual stresses are placed on adjacent teeth and the gums when teeth are missing. If left untreated, teeth may drift out of alignment.

How Does It Work?

A bridge usually takes up to four or five appointments to complete. At the first and longest appointment, Dr. Sallustio or Dr. Azizian will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin to accommodate the thickness of the final restoration. Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely by the lab to ensure proper fit, impressions of your teeth will be taken. A temporary bridge will be fabricated at our office and cemented into place to cover the prepared teeth while the permanent bridge is being fabricated. This temporary will be removed and re-cemented at each visit.

At the next appointment, the doctor will try-in the sections of the metal framework. If the fit is satisfactory, he will return the bridge framework to the lab for soldering.

At the third appointment, you return for try-in of the soldered bridge framework to assure its fit and the doctor selects the color for the porcelain that matches your surrounding teeth. At the lab, porcelain will be baked onto the framework.

When the permanent bridge is ready and the doctor is satisfied with its fit and appearance in the mouth, it will be cemented with temporary cement.

The bridge will be permanently cemented in a week or two when both you and the doctor are comfortable with the function and looks of your new bridge.

How Do I Take Care Of My Bridge?

A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is of critical importance since the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support. Additional hygiene aids such as a floss threader or proxy brush may be discussed, if needed.

Considerations

An alternative treatment option for a missing tooth or teeth is dental implants. Drs. Sallustio or Azizian will be pleased to discuss whether you are a candidate for an dental implant.

Bridges can last a long time. The most important step you can take to ensure the longevity of your bridge is to practice good oral hygiene. A bridge can lose its support if the teeth or bone holding it in place are damaged by dental disease.

To prevent damage to your new restoration, avoid chewing on ice or other hard materials.