Dental Bridges

DENTAL BRIDGES

A bridge is a set of prosthetic teeth that are linked together. This custom-made device is used to replace a missing tooth or teeth by anchoring to neighboring teeth on either side. When a lost tooth is replaced with bridgework, the teeth on either side of the missing one are commonly prepared as we would for a crown. The preparation of both teeth allows us to create sufficient space to accommodate the materials needed to serve as abutments to hold the prosthetic (replacement) tooth in place. Crowns and bridges are most often made from superior materials such as semiprecious or precious metals, porcelain, or a fused combination of the two materials and a ceramic material. The metal substructure serves to give the bridge its strength and the porcelain permits us to achieve excellent aesthetics.

Beauty, function, and tissue compatibility are considered when selecting the material most suitable for you. The bridge is carefully fit on the prepared teeth. The bridge will fit under the gum tissue to hide the junction between tooth and the bridge. The bridges are put in place using special adhesive dental cement. The goal of this procedure is for the final bridge to look as natural as possible and feel like your own teeth. All-ceramic bridges are now an option for treatment. They have a substructure made of a material called Zirconia. The Zirconia has the strength of metal and can be used as a substitute for conventional porcelain fused to metal bridges.

DENTAL IMPLANT SECURED BRIDGE

Dental bridges can also be permanently secured with the use of dental implants. Dental implant secured bridges provide added oral health benefits such as bone retention and prevention of possible tooth shifting. Implant secured bridges do not require damaging surrounding healthy teeth and can help support a stable and durable oral foundation. Additionally, dental implants promote continued bone growth, preventing both bone shrinkage and gum recession associated with traditional bridges and dentures. Dr. Weinstock and Dr. Waasdorp provide comprehensive dental implant services for the convenience and consistent results.

If you choose dental implants to secure your bridge, a treatment plan for placing the implants will be coordinated with the fabrication and placement of the bridge. This will involve a surgical implantation of the implant post and the placement of a temporary bridge. After a 3 to 6 month healing period, you will return to our Philadelphia dentist office for the permanent placement of your dental bridge.