If you have missing or damaged teeth, a bridge effectively fills in the gap to restore your natural look. At Revive Dentistry in Washington, D.C., expert dentists Michael Mortazie, DDS, Shila Yazdani, DDS, and the team provide expert placement of these tooth restorations. Call the office or book an appointment online to schedule a consultation today.
Bridges are two crowns, or prosthetic teeth or implants, that are bonded to your natural teeth to hold a false tooth or set of teeth to “bridge” the space where teeth are missing. The neighboring teeth act as stabilizing anchors for the bridge.
Bridges match the natural shade and shape of your teeth, so they fit in seamlessly with your smile. They are usually made of porcelain or ceramic.
A bridge restores and improves your smile. This restoration can also:
Bridges fill in gaps, preventing surrounding teeth from shifting into empty spaces. This limits your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Bridges are designed to fit your specific oral needs. The types offered at Revive Dentistry include:
A traditional bridge has a tooth or implant sitting on either side of the pontic (set of false teeth).
This style of bridge is a solution when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth. These bridges aren’t offered very much anymore because they tend to misalign your bite.
This type of bridge is also called a resin-bonded bridge. The bridge has metal or porcelain wings that bond to your existing teeth -- no crowns necessary. This option is only available if you have one tooth missing.
Traditional bridges are by far the most common and preferred form of this restoration.
If you and the dental team at Revive Dentistry agree that a bridge is the right treatment for you, your first appointment involves filing down any natural teeth adjacent to the missing teeth. This makes room for the anchoring crowns. Your dentist then adheres the custom-made crowns to the affected teeth.
If you have crowns already over an implant or your natural teeth, this process isn’t necessary.
To receive a Maryland bonded bridge, your teeth don’t need a crown. The metal wings of the bridge adhere to the back sides of your teeth on either side of your missing tooth.
Care for a bridge just as you do your natural teeth. Brush at least twice daily and floss once per day. Visit Revive Dentistry for regular professional checkups and cleanings.
If you care for your bridges properly, some bridges can last a lifetime. Maryland bridges can weaken sooner and require more frequent replacement and repair.
To set up a consultation for a new bridge, call Revive Dentistry or schedule an appointment using the online booking tool.
