If you have a gap in your teeth, a dental bridge may be right for you. This gap may be due to injury, decay, or disease. A dental bridge uses the teeth adjacent to the gap for support. These teeth are substantially reshaped and are covered with dental crowns.
The dental crowns are attached to the replacement tooth. If you have several side-by-side teeth missing, a dental bridge covers the gap. The bridge is permanently cemented onto the adjacent teeth (abutment), and the replacement tooth is shaped to look exactly like a real tooth, resting on the gums.
Dental Bridge Pictures
Dental tooth bridges cover the gap from a partial tooth loss of one or more natural teeth. Two or more crowns on either side of the gap hold the bridge in place. If the abutment teeth are already decayed or stained and would benefit from being covered up with dental crowns.
Instead of using crowns on the adjacent teeth, you can use implants. Placing a bridge on implants is ideal if the gap covers several teeth. Implants support abutment teeth for a fixed bridge.
Dr. Khabensky, our cosmetic dentistry expert, uses this technique if the gap covers the entire side of your mouth. If your natural teeth aren’t strong enough to sustain a tooth bridge, implants may be used instead.