Bridges

How Dental Bridges Work

Some may refer to dental bridges as a removable denture that is fixed into place. A bridge is designed to replace a missing tooth, or missing teeth. Bridges are put into place, but require some support. They can get support by being close to natural teeth, anchored to implants or a combination of implants and natural teeth.

How Do Bridges Work

Bridges are made by placing crowns on the teeth on either side of the space being filled. The two crowns have a false tooth in between them to fill in the gap. Crowns, or caps, can be placed on natural teeth or on implants. Then the false tooth is attached to both crowns so the false tooth fills the empty space.  If the teeth on both sides are strong and healthy, then there is no need for root canal therapy. But part of each tooth must be removed to make room for the two crowns. Bridges are made our of porcelain fused to metal or out of ceramic.

How Are Bridges Made?

The two teeth used as anchors will have to be reduced to create room for the  bridge to fit properly. Once the teeth are sized appropriately, an impression is made so there is an exact mold for the bridge. If the bridge is being constructed out of porcelain, it can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.

Once the dentist has an impression, a special dental lab will make the bridge out of the specified materials. You will have a temporary bridge to hold the space until your permanent one is ready. Once the permanent bridge is ready, the dentist will remove the temporary bridge and the new one will be cemented to the teeth they prepared.