What is it?
A dental bridge is a false tooth (or pontic) fused between two porcelain crowns to replace one or more missing teeth. These crowns are permanently attached—or “fixed”—to the teeth on either side of the gap. A bridge can last 10 or more years with a commitment to good oral hygiene.
What are the benefits?
Bridges can:
- Restore your smile
- Restore your ability to properly chew
- Maintain the shape of your face
- Correct bite issues
- Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position
- Reduce your risk of gum disease
- Improve your speech
What types are available?
There are three main types of dental bridges: traditional, cantilever and implant-supported.
Traditional bridges are the most common type. They involve creating a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the missing tooth, with a pontic in-between. They are made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
Cantilever bridges are used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth.
Implant-supported bridges combine the benefits of both traditional and cantilever procedures, implant-supported bridges are permanently anchored and fortified with traditional implants. They offer an economical option.