Bridges

A traditional bridge is made by creating a crown for the teeth on either side of the space and placing a false tooth or teeth between the crowns. The crowns, sometimes called caps, can be supported by natural teeth or by implants. The false tooth or teeth are attached to the crowns and fill the empty space. Unlike removable devices such as dentures, which you can take out and clean daily, bridges are cemented onto existing teeth.

There are other types of bridges as well. A cantilever bridge is held in the mouth by one or more crowns on only one side of the space where a tooth is missing. A Maryland bonded bridge consists of a metal framework with “wings” on each side. The wings are bonded to the back of your existing teeth. The false teeth are also bonded to the framework. This type of bridge is also called a resin-bonded bridge or an acid-etched bridge.

Getting a bridge requires at least two visits. At the first visit we will prepare the teeth and cover them with temporary crowns. We will also make impressions of the teeth. At the second visit the bridge is fitted.