A dental bridge is a non-removable (fixed) restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth. A bridge may be recommended for the following reasons:
Restore your ability to speak, chew, and eat as normal
Prevent the remaining natural teeth from shifting in the mouth
Alleviate stress on the bite
Improve the shape and volume of your face
Enhance the beauty of your smile
To place a bridge, at least one tooth on both sides of the gap will be prepared so that crowns can be put on them to act as anchors or support for the artificial tooth/teeth that will be covering the gap. The crowns that will go on the anchor/support teeth are called “abutments”. The artificial tooth covering a gap is known as a “pontic”. The abutments and pontic (or pontics depending on how wide a gap is) are connected to form the bridge. Although connected to each other, the abutments and pontics that make up a
bridge will have the illusion of appearing as individual, flossable teeth. Bridges are designed in all different manners depending on how wide a gap is, how many gaps there are, and on the condition of already existing teeth.
Dental bridges are often created from strong, long lasting, and tooth colored materials such as zirconia, and porcelain fused to metal. In most cases, your custom bridge can be completed in just two visits. Dr. Kim welcome you to contact or visit Taunton Oral Health in Taunton, MA to learn more about bridges or other tooth replacement options.