What is a porcelain bridge?
A bridge fills the gaps left by lost teeth.  It consists of pontics (false teeth) supported by attachment to healthy teeth.

Are the bridges simply cosmetic appliances?
Bridges do more than improve the appearance of your smile by filling the gaps.  They prevent the drift of your other teeth.  They help you to chew properly and can also prevent the deterioration of your jaw and bone and gum tissue around the area of tooth loss.  Finally, bridges help keep your bite in place and prevent the onset of TMJ.

What styles of bridges are there?
There are three styles of bridges commonly in use today, distinguished by their method of connection to the other teeth:

• The traditional bridge is connected to teeth on either side of the gap with crowns cemented to the neighboring teeth
• The cantilever bridge only has supporting teeth on one side.  To remedy this, it is sometimes attached to two teeth on that one side.
• A resin-bonded bridge takes advantage of the strength of dental bonding resin to be attached without modifying the healthy adjacent teeth.

How long will it take for my bridge to be ready?
Getting bridges done usually takes about as long as for Porcelain Crowns.  First, your surrounding teeth must be prepared to receive the bridge.  Then an impression of the area is made which will be used to ensure your bridges fill the gap perfectly.  You will be fitted with a temporary bridge to wear until the permanent one is ready.  Once the permanent bridge is completed, it will be cemented in place.

When I think "porcelain," I think fragile.  Does this mean my crowns will break?
Modern ceramics are advanced engineering materials, used in everything from hammers to the space shuttle.  In fact, all modern battle tanks use ceramic armor.

One of the advantages of modern porcelain restorations is that they are not harder than your normal teeth, which means they are unlikely to cause damage to your other teeth.  This also means that anything that will break a normal tooth will break a porcelain bridge.

How should I care for my Porcelain Bridge?
You should practice normal dental hygiene, including brushing your teeth and restorations, and flossing wherever the brush cannot reach, including under the pontics.  Limit your intake of sugars and starches, and avoid hard and/or sticky foods.  And schedule regular follow-up examinations.

How long will my restorations last?
With proper care, your restorations will last for many years.

If you are tired of suffering from gaps in your teeth, please call or email us at boldersmiles today to learn more about the advantages of dental bridges.