Dental bridges

Dental Bridges In Winter Park, Fl

When teeth are missing, the gap needs to be restored to aid the function of biting and chewing, and to maintain proper tooth alignment. One way to do this is by having a dental bridge.

Also known as a fixed or removable denture it's a type of dental appliance used to replace one or more adjacent missing teeth. As the name suggests a prosthetic (pontic) tooth or teeth are supported by a framework. This framework, complete with attached false teeth is designed to 'bridge' the gap, where the natural tooth or teeth are missing.

Dental bridges can be supported in one of two ways

• By adjacent natural teeth or
  
• By dental implants

Traditional Bridges

A conventional dental bridge relies on the support of healthy adjacent teeth to support the framework for the pontic (false) teeth. Firstly the natural teeth on either side of the gap need to be modified to take a crown. This means that parts of the tooth will need to be reshaped. After impressions are taken and sent to the lab, the bridge is constructed. The crown (otherwise known as a cap) is then cemented into position on top of the teeth. Finally the framework is attached to the crowns and fills the empty space. This entire process is usually carried out over two or three appointments.

Traditional bridges are made from super strong dental porcelain and attached to either metal or ceramic. Once in place they should only be removed by a certified dental professional.

Implant-retained Bridges

Implant-retained bridges involve the use of dental implants instead of natural teeth to hold the prosthetics in place. As a result the teeth on either side of the gap aren't compromised and remain healthy. A conventional dental implant is placed in the first available gap and a period of healing is then allowed for the bone tissue to merge with the implant, creating a strong structure. Once bone fusion has taken place (usually 8-16 weeks) the implant is uncovered from beneath the gum and the final bridging structure can be placed. Alternatively, If a mini-implant is placed, then the bridge can often be attached at the same time.

Both procedures work extremely well although implant-retained bridges offer greater stability. On average, traditional dental bridges last 5-10 years while for implant-retained dentures, the crowns usually need to be replaced every 10-15 years, allowing for normal wear and tear.