Dental Bridge at Implant Dentistry Northwest
Hi, this is Keith Phillips from Implant Dentistry Northwest, and today I'm going to describe what a dental bridge is.
What is a Dental Bridge?
We utilize bridges in dentistry to help replace missing teeth. A bridge can be placed on teeth on either side of the missing tooth, or it can be placed on implants on either side of a missing tooth. Here, we're going to describe utilizing a dental bridge on teeth.
Why Replace a Missing Tooth?
Here's a model of three teeth, three posterior teeth: a molar and a couple of premolars. Let's say this tooth was lost because there was a dental infection and it was not restorable. That tooth was removed, so now we have a missing tooth. If we don't replace that tooth, the teeth on either side could shift. The tooth above it could shift down, wreaking havoc with the bite. Sometimes, you might find that you don't chew as well or you're not as comfortable with that missing tooth. We have a reason to replace that tooth.
Choosing a Dental Bridge Over an Implant
An implant can be utilized, but let's say there's not enough bone after the infection for the placement of a dental implant without grafting and so forth. Maybe the decision is made to utilize the teeth on either side to replace that missing tooth.
Preparing Teeth for a Dental Bridge
The dentist will prepare the teeth by essentially miniaturizing the top part of the tooth so that a crown can be fit on top. Here's a representation of the teeth after preparation; they are much smaller. It is a structural compromise to do it this way because we have to take all this tooth structure away. The teeth will be prepared, the dentist will make an impression of these teeth, send it to the dental laboratory, and a bridge will be made. The bridge has the caps that will go on either side and a false tooth that's connected, bridging that gap. That would then just be cemented over the top to replace the missing tooth. That's a conventional dental bridge.
We’re proud to serve our community by helping you and your family maintain healthy smiles. Call (253) 600-2621 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit today.