What Is A Dental Bridge And Why Would You Need One?

If you have missing teeth, your dentist can close (or bridge) the gap in your smile with a dental bridge. A dental bridge is a false tooth (called a pontic), or teeth, that is held in place by the adjacent teeth on either side of the gap. Pontics are typically made from porcelain to aesthetically blend in with your natural teeth, but they can be made with a variety of other materials including gold.

Dental bridges are a common solution for replacing missing teeth. They are custom-made to fit your mouth and look natural. There are a few different types of dental bridges, but the most common type is the traditional bridge. A traditional bridge is made up of two crowns that are placed on the teeth on either side of the missing tooth, and a replacement tooth is attached in between them.

A dental bridge from our Calgary clinic may be suitable for you if you’re missing one or more teeth. Aside from the obvious problem of aesthetics, missing teeth can cause a potential chain reaction of problems because your teeth all work in harmony together. If a tooth is missing, the nearby teeth can move into the empty space. The teeth in your opposite jaw can also move up or down toward the space. This can cause a variety of issues including

• Other teeth in your mouth drifting out of position
• A poorly aligned bite
• TMJ issues like temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
• Poor distribution of the force in your bite
• Your jawbone shrinking where your teeth are missing

• Chewing difficulties
• Pain from the extra stress on your teeth and jaw
• Self-consciousness about the way you look or your smile

A dental bridge helps to maintain the space and integrity of your jaw structure so these issues do not occur.

There are different types and uses for dental bridges, depending on your needs, and treatment with a dental bridge may also require dental implant crowns to be placed in your mouth first. Only your dentist can advise you on which treatment options are best for your current situation, based on your dental history and the exact needs that you have at the time.
Getting a dental bridge from our downtown Calgary dental office is often the best way to protect your teeth from further damage or issues. If you’re dealing with a missing tooth or teeth, please book an appointment to discuss your options with one of our amazing dentists.