Jennifer Chalker DDS | Dental Bridges

Single or multiple missing teeth can adversely affect the appearance and functionality of your natural smile. A dental bridge is constructed of two crowns one on each tooth on either side of the gap (these two teeth are called anchoring or abutment teeth)and a false tooth (or multiple teeth) in between, however, bridges can also be attached to dental implants, which do not rely on natural teeth for support. The false teeth in a dental bridge are called pontics and can be constructed from gold, porcelain, metal alloys, or a combination of these different materials.

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. If a resin-bonded bridge is used, it generally requires less preparation of nearby teeth. A dental bridge is often used to replace missing front teeth, provided that the gums are in healthy shape and the surrounding teeth do not have existing extensive dental fillings.

When placing a traditional bridge, our dentist will secure the crowns to the teeth or implants on either side of a gap, anchoring the pontic or pontics so that they fills the gap. The end result is a beautiful smile that is completely restored in terms of use and appearance.