Bridges

A bridge is a way to replace a missing tooth. Once it was one of the few ways to do so. Today another choice would be an implant, and in fact, many people choose an implant to replace a single tooth. There are cases when an implant cannot be used, and in these cases, bridges are a wonderful choice. A bridge is not removable and is a permanent restoration. To create a bridge, a tooth on either side must be prepared to receive a crown. We may ask a laboratory to create a restoration that has three teeth instead of two. The middle tooth, or pontic, becomes the missing tooth.  

Care must be taken to clean the gum tissue around a bridge properly, otherwise, decay may get under and damage neighboring teeth. If cleaned well, and the patient returns on a regular schedule for hygiene visits, a bridge can last many years. 

In times past, a metal framework was created in order to support the “floating” pontic tooth. However, in more recent times, technology has given us materials that do not have a metal core and thus are much more aesthetic. Though there are times traditional gold can be chosen for this core material, most times we lean toward zirconia, as it is both lighter in color and strong. This means a natural translucency can be added into the porcelain of our bridges and can mimic what the patient has on either side of the pontic.  

After just a bit of time, most everyone treats a bridge as they would their natural tooth again.