Bridging the gap with a bright, healthy smile

The dental team at Blue House Dental will always do everything possible to preserve your natural teeth, but if this isn’t possible a dental bridge can replace lost teeth. This involves crowning the teeth adjacent to the gap and attaching these crowns to the replacement tooth or teeth to form a strong, stable appliance. Each replacement tooth is called a pontic, and a bridge can often support more than one pontic. With the exception of CEREC, bridges are made from the same materials as crowns, so you can opt for an all-ceramic bridge as modern dental porcelains are extremely strong.

Preparing Your Teeth for a Crown or Bridge

The process for a crown or bridge is very similar, and normally takes at least two visits to complete. Your teeth will be prepared during your first visit, a procedure that involves grinding them down and shaping them to provide sufficient room for the crown or bridge. This is necessary as otherwise your restoration would feel too bulky. Next, a detailed impression is taken of your mouth to send to the dental laboratory so the crown or bridge can be made. This generally takes a couple of weeks or so to complete. During this time your tooth will be protected with a temporary crown or bridge. Your new restoration can be fitted at the next visit and permanently cemented in position.