Bridges
A dental bridge literally “bridges” the gap left by a missing tooth. A bridge is made of two crowns placed on the existing teeth on either side of the space. Using the two surrounding teeth as anchors, a false tooth (or pontic) is put in place of the missing tooth.
A bridge is a dental device that fills a space that a tooth previously occupied. A bridge may be necessary to prevent:
- Shifting of the teeth that can lead to bite problems (occlusion) and/or jaw problems and resultant periodontal disease.
- Bridges safeguard the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.
There are two main types of bridges, namely:
-
The Fixed bridge is the most common type and consists of a false tooth that is attached to two crowns, which fit over the existing teeth and hold the bridge in place.
- The “Maryland or Bonded” bridge is sometimes used to replace a missing front tooth. It is attached to the tongue side of the adjacent teeth with a metal or ceramic retainer.
