Bridges

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, whether you are talking, laughing, or eating. A gap in your smile can affect your oral health and your confidence.

A bridge is a dental appliance that fills gaps where a tooth is missing. Your dentist uses a prosthetic tooth to replace the one missing and anchors it by placing crowns on the adjacent teeth, attaching it firmly in place.

Why do I need to fill the gap?

The teeth on either side may start to drift, your bite can misalign, and the gap can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Your jawbone in the socket of the missing tooth also begins to atrophy.

Will I have trouble eating with a bridge?

Eating should be easier with a dental bridge because of your increased ability to chew. Initially, take small bites of soft food to help you transition to the feel of your new tooth.

How many appointments will it take to get a bridge?

The treatment usually takes two appointments. At the first appointment, the dentist will prepare the two anchor teeth for the crowns, take an impression or a digital scan of the two teeth and the gap, and send the impression/ scan to the dental lab. The dental lab will fabricate custom crowns and a prosthetic tooth. At the second appointment, the dentist will fit the crowns and the tooth, bonding them in place.