Bridges

What are dental bridges used for?

The purpose of dental bridges is evident right in their name. They are effective tools in bridging the gap left by one or more missing teeth.

There are several different types of dental bridges that work to restore your smile back to its original look and function. They include:

• Traditional dental bridge: When there are two abutment teeth on either side of the gap in your smile, a traditional dental bridge is used most often. With this bridge, the abutment teeth are reshaped to accommodate the crowns that will support the replacement tooth — or pontic.
• Cantilever bridge: This type of bridge only requires one abutment tooth to secure the bridge.
• Maryland bridge: This type of bridge is often used to fill gaps in missing teeth toward the front of the mouth. The Maryland bridge doesn’t require removing the enamel of adjacent teeth to work. Instead, it utilizes metal or porcelain bands placed behind the other teeth to hold the bridge in place.
• Implant-supported bridge: An implant-supported bridge uses dental implants rather than natural teeth to provide support for the pontic teeth.

The type of bridge that will work best for you depends on the number of missing teeth and the position of your remaining teeth. Scheduling a consultation with Drs. Gordon and Brooks Green and Dr. Nichole Barnett will take the guesswork out of picking the dental bridge that is right for you. We’ll walk you through your options.

What is getting a dental bridge like?

The specifics of getting a dental bridge are particular to the type of bridge you are getting, but you can expect to spend several appointments with us consulting, preparing, and fitting your dental bridge.

First, we will use our cutting-edge iTero Digital Impression System to take digital impressions of your teeth. This machine scans the inside of your mouth and takes highly accurate 3D images of your teeth and gums. Those impressions replace messy dental putty and trays, making the process even easier and more streamlined. They are used to create a dental bridge that has been customized to fit your personal needs.

While your permanent bridge is being made in the dental lab, we will prepare your teeth, including removing enamel to support crowns. Once your customized bridge is ready, we will cement it in place and make any final adjustments.

How do I take care of my dental bridge?

Once your dental bridge has been successfully installed, you will need to give it the same regular care as your other teeth. That includes brushing twice a day, flossing every day, and scheduling and attending your regular dental appointments twice a year. We will give you any special instructions you may need based on your particular dental bridge. Overall, we recommend avoiding problematic food like popcorn, sticky candy, ice, and other challenges, which could damage your dental bridge.