Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are available at Dr. Mack Wright’s office in Urbana, Ohio, for patients needing to fill gaps in their smile.  A bridge is a permanent oral appliance that replaces the missing teeth. 

A frame is constructed with the replacement teeth, and the frame is attached to the abutting teeth (the teeth on each side of the gap).  The teeth are made to look like the remaining teeth and will blend in naturally.  Porcelain is the most common type of replacement used but other materials are available if requested. 

A traditional bridge is used the most.  The two abutting teeth are prepped, and crowns are cemented on top.  The bridge is then bonded onto the back of the crowns. 

A Maryland bridge is bonded directly onto the back of the abutment teeth without placing crowns for a more economical option. 

Some gaps only have one abutment tooth available for bonding.  A Cantilever bridge can be cemented to the back of one crown in this situation. 

The most stable type of bridge available is an implant-supported bridge.  Implants with crowns are placed on each side of the gap.  Crowns are a necessary part of an implant, so the bridge is bonded to the back of the crowns.  Due to the healing time for the implants, though, this option takes longer to complete than the others.