DENTAL BRIDGE

Dental Bridge is a combination of artificial tooth/teeth and crowns fused together to cover a gap that a missing tooth left . Dental Bridges could be either supported by your teeth or dental implants. Instead of dealing with a partial denture , you could get a dental bridge to ease your life.

Dental Bridges enables you to chew/bite better and gives an aesthetic look.

Dental porcelain can be shaped to replicate the original teeth and can fit comfortably within the established bite pattern. Porcelain is very durable and will withstand most natural tooth functions, and can mimic tooth enamel with its glass-like whiteness and translucence (Which allows light to penetrate and and scatter as it does with natural organic teeth).

What are the Benefits of Dental Bridges?

Restore your smile
Restore the ability to chew and your any affects to your speech
Maintain your face
Distribute the forces in your bite
Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position

Different Types of Dental Bridge

Traditional Dental Bridge

These bridges consist of one or more artificial teeth which are held in place by dental crowns. These dental crowns are also called abutments, they are cemented onto the teeth adjacent to your missing tooth. Traditional bridges can be used when you have natural teeth on both sides of the gap created by your missing tooth. Bridges are even strong enough to replace molars.

The downside of traditional bridges is that our dentist will need to prepare the adjacent teeth by removing their enamel to make room for the crowns that will be cemented on top. As enamel does not grow back, these teeth will need to be protected with crowns, even if you later choose a different type of bridge.

Cantilever bridge

Cantilever bridges is another option available to you for replacing missing teeth. They are very similar to traditional bridges, but the artificial teeth are supported by an abutment on only one side, rather than on both sides like with the traditional bridge. So if there is only one natural tooth next to the gap, a bridge can still be secured.

Like traditional bridges, our dentist will need to prepare the adjacent tooth to support the bridge by removing its enamel. Because these restorations are only supported on one side, they may act as a lever in some cases.

Maryland or Resin-Bonded bridge

Maryland bridges are considered a conservative alternative to traditional bridges. These bridges consist of artificial teeth that is held in place by a metal or porcelain framework. This framework is bonded onto the backs of the two teeth next to the missing tooth. Since this type of bridge isn't held in place by crowns, the adjacent teeth don't need to be filed down.

While Maryland bridges are more conservative than traditional bridges, they do have their downsides. The strength of the bridge is limited by the strength of the resin that holds it in place, so it may not stay in place in areas of the mouth where the teeth are subjected to a lot of biting force, like the molars. The framework may also get in the way of your gums or your bite.

Treatment Steps

STEP 1: Panoramic X-ray + Examination + Consultation and Planning

We like to make sure that the teeth that will support the bridge is healthy and strong enough, if any additional treatments should be done to make them stronger , those options would be discussed with patient at this stage. Or if you are getting implant supported bridge , we make sure implants are solid and fused into the bone correctly.

STEP 2 : Prep the teeth

Preperations are done under local anesthesia usually , but for dental phobiac patients , we also offer IV sedation for their comfort.

If you are getting Traditional or Cantilever Bridge ,the enamel reduction all sides is necesarry for the teeth/tooth that will suppor the bridge. But for Cantilever Bridge, minimal enamel reduction is applied only to the back of the teeth as preperation for the metal wings.

STEP 3 : Taking Impression

When prep is done , we take impressions and send it to the lab. We choose the shade you desire and inform the lab. On the same day you would get a temporary bridge to avoid the sensitivity on the prepared teeth. ( Temporary bridge would not be your desired shade. ) Our technicians would make a model out of impressions and start their artistic work.

STEP 4 : Custumozie the Bridge to your Bite

Custimizing bridge, crowns, veneers to your bite is very important . If your bridge is not well customized that may give you jaw ache, poor chewing , poor teeth health. So this is a very important step that should not been skipped.

STEP 5 : Cementation

When patient is happy with the shade, shape and when the biting position is right , it is time for cementing the bridge permanently

After Treatment

Maintaining a porcelain bridge is actually quite simple. Treat your bridge in the same manner as you would original teeth, with routine brushing with non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste and regular flossing.

A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to evaluate your bridge shortly after it’s placed, so our dentist can review his handiwork and see how your mouth is reacting to the treatment.