A tooth-colored bridge may be made of both porcelain and metal, or, thanks to newly available technology, it may be made entirely of porcelain.

Recent breakthroughs in adhesives, combined with the development of stronger porcelain materials, allow us to make bridges entirely out of porcelain. All-porcelain bridges maintain a translucency that makes them hard to tell from natural teeth. Without metal, the problem of a dark line at the edge of the gums is eliminated. This allows us to place the edge of the bridge above the gumline, and that's healthier for your teeth and gums.

When you want to improve your smile, all-porcelain bridges are a beautiful and natural looking choice.

Bridges In the past, porcelain bridges were always built upon a metal core. That was the only way they could have enough strength to withstand the tremendous biting forces that are exerted on all of your teeth. That metal core is what creates the dark blue line at the edge of many bridges.

Placing a bridge after teeth have been lost can prevent a chain reaction of problems that could affect your entire mouth. Teeth need each other for support, and when one or more teeth are lost, the biting forces on the teeth next to the space will change, causing the teeth to shift. Because the teeth on the opposite arch no longer have anything to chew against, they may begin to extrude out of the socket. You can eventually end up losing them too.

As your bite changes, it gets harder and harder to chew your food, and your jaw joint, called the TMJ, may be damaged. It's also much harder to clean teeth that have shifted. Harmful plaque and tartar collect in new hard-to-reach places created by shifting teeth, causing cavities and the permanent bone loss that comes with gum disease.

A dental bridge is an excellent way to replace one or more missing teeth and restore stability to your mouth. Like all bridges, a dental bridge needs abutments to hold it in place, and to provide support. A dental bridge is attached to the teeth next to the space, and those teeth act as supportive abutments. We prepare your teeth and from impressions make models of your mouth. Your bridge is then carefully crafted in a dental laboratory to fit your teeth precisely.

A missing tooth can certainly alter your appearance, but a bridge is a good way to get your beautiful smile back.

What to Expect

Replacing a missing tooth with a bridge requires two or more appointments. During the first appointment, we prepare your teeth, create an impression of your teeth, and place a temporary bridge. The impression gives us an accurate working model of your mouth and allows us to re-create your natural bite. A dental laboratory uses the model to fabricate a bridge that will fit your teeth precisely. During your final appointment, we replace the temporary bridge with the new porcelain bridge.

We want the entire procedure of getting a bridge to be comfortable for you, so first we make sure that your mouth is thoroughly numb. To prepare your teeth for the bridge, we remove any decay and use the dental handpiece to shape the teeth precisely.

To help us make a more accurate impression, we may put a small piece of string in the space between your teeth and gums. We use this string to gently push the gums away from your teeth. Finally, we place a temporary bridge, which you will wear while the laboratory creates your custom bridge.

During your second and final visit, we remove the temporary bridge and try in your new bridge. We check the fit and your bite, and when everything looks good, we cement your new porcelain bridge in place.

General Care

The success of a dental bridge depends on the health of the adjacent teeth and gums. To care for your bridge, as well as the teeth and gums that support it, brush and floss thoroughly every time you eat.

At first, it may be challenging to keep your bridge and the adjacent gums and teeth plaque-free, but superfloss and floss threaders can dramatically improve the effectiveness of your homecare routine. Superfloss is a special kind of dental floss that comes in pre-cut segments. Each end of the segment is thin and stiff, which allows you to thread it through tight areas. The midsection of the segment is fuzzy, so it removes plaque very well. Just insert the superfloss under your bridge, and floss like you would normally.

A floss threader has one thin, stiff end and a loop through which you can thread dental floss. It helps you insert floss into tight spots between your teeth and bridge. Thread the floss through the loop of the threader, and then insert the stiff end between your teeth or under your bridge. Pull until the floss is between your teeth or under your bridge, remove the floss threader from your mouth, and then use the dental floss as you normally would.

Depending on the situation, we may recommend additional tools and techniques to help keep all the areas around your bridge plaque-free. At first, it may seem a little awkward to clean under your new bridge, but it will soon become a normal part of your daily routine.