Dental bridges are dental restorations of fixed category wherein a missing tooth is replaced by permanently joining an artificial tooth to nearby dental implants or teeth.
They can be classified into different types mainly according to the way they are anchored the teeth and also on the basis of fabrication modes. They can also be of direct or indirect restoration types. Generally, the indirect method of restoration is used. The prominent materials that are used for fabricating these structures include porcelain, porcelain fused with metal or gold.
A fixed denture made to replace one or more missing teeth. Bridges can be supported by natural teeth, implants or a combination of teeth and implants.
A bridge may be recommended if you’re missing one or more teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth eventually cause the remaining teeth to rotate or shift into the empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite.
The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Bridges are commonly used to replace one or more missing teeth. Bridges are cemented to the natural teeth or implants surrounding the empty space.
As with crowns, you have a choice of materials for bridges. Your dentist can help you decide which to use, based on the location of the missing tooth (or teeth), its function, aesthetic considerations and cost. Porcelain or ceramic bridges can be matched to the color of your natural teeth.
Both crowns and most bridges are fixed prosthetic devices. Unlike removable devices such as dentures, which you can take out and clean daily, crowns and bridges are cemented onto existing teeth or implants, and can only be removed by a dentist.