Bridges

If you are missing one or more teeth, you may be eligible for a dental bridge. By using the surrounding teeth for support, a bridge can fill the gap left by a missing tooth to restore the look and functionality of your smile. Restore your strength and confidence with one treatment!

How Do Dental Bridges Work?

A dental bridge is made of two main parts – the supporting teeth and replacement crown.
The healthy teeth on either side of a missing tooth are called abutments. They are used to support the bridge. The replacement tooth is known as a pontic. A pontic is similar to a crown and has no root system. This treatment can be used to replace one tooth or several teeth in a row. Once your bridge has been installed, your new tooth will be held in place and supported by the two abutments.

How Are Dental Bridges Installed?

To install your bridge, our doctors will begin by removing a thin layer of enamel from each tooth adjacent to the gap. After this, he will install two new crowns. These crowns serve as posts – they give the abutment teeth an extra layer of support. Without this, your natural teeth would not be strong enough to support your replacement.
Once the crowns are in place, our doctors will install your new tooth. If you just need one tooth replaced, your bridge will consist of the two abutments and one replacement tooth.

Are Bridges Reliable?

A dental bridge is a wonderful treatment option to replace one or more missing teeth. Although a bridge does not have an artificial root system like an implant, it can still provide a high level of support. Bridges are very natural-looking and can help you eat and speak normally. They also prevent your natural teeth from shifting and falling out of place. With proper care, a dental bridge will last anywhere from five to fifteen years.
One downside to bridges is their lack of an artificial root system. With a bridge, your replacement tooth will hang between the two anchor teeth. This can cause pressure to be put on the healthy teeth surrounding the bridge. Additionally, because there is no root system, your jaw bone will not have as much support and may become damaged over time.
For those who have concerns about bridge treatments, our doctors may recommend implants instead. For those who are not eligible for implants, bridges are still a wonderful and reliable tooth replacement option.

If you would like to learn more about bridges and other tooth replacement options, please give us a call at 812-232-6654. Together we can find the perfect treatment for you!