A Fixed Bridge, also known as a dental prosthesis, is a restoration that replaces missing teeth. If your dentist recommends a Fixed Bridge, he or she will permanently replace the missing tooth by attaching it to your adjacent teeth.

There are different types of bridges available from your dentist. These include indirect restoration, meaning the bridge is made outside of your mouth and direct restoration where your dental bridge is made inside of your mouth using composite resin or other materials. Other types of Fixed Dental Bridges include resin-bonded bridges, cantilever bridges, conventional Fixed Bridges and Implant Bridges that are attached to the jawbone or just below the gum tissue. There are removable Dental Bridges available as well allowing the wearer to clean the dental prosthesis.

Traditional Bridges involve the creation of a crown for the Dental Implant or the tooth on the side of the missing tooth. Made of metal, ceramic, or porcelain, traditional bridges are the most common type of Fixed Bridges.

Your dentist uses Cantilever Bridges when there is only one side of your missing teeth or tooth. These types of Fixed Bridges are not as common as they used to be and are not recommended for the back of your mouth as too much pressure is put on your other teeth that could cause damage.

Resin Bonded Bridges, also known as Maryland Bonded Bridges, are manufactured out of porcelain, porcelain that is fused to metal or gums and plastic teeth that are supported by a porcelain or metal framework. Resin Bonded Bridges have wings on both sides of the bridge that will be bonded by your dentist to your teeth.

Dental Bridges can be made for different types of materials including porcelain, gold alloys, metal, or metal fused to porcelain. Depending on what type of material your dentist chooses, abutment teeth reduction will vary slightly.

Dental Bridges are made by filing down the teeth that sit on either side of the missing teeth or tooth. The abutment teeth need to be reduced in order to make room for the material that your dentist will use for your Dental Bridge. This is done to restore the shape and size of your original teeth. According to Ante’s Law and Wikipedia, “The root surface area of the abutment teeth must surpass or equal the teeth that are being replaced.”

Dental Bridges can maintain the shape of your face; this is very important as missing teeth can affect your bone structure and cause your face to appear sunken in. Fixed Bridges can also help restore your smile and distribute your bite evenly and prevent your other natural teeth from drifting.  

If you would like more information regarding Fixed Bridges, schedule a no obligation consultation with your dentist who will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for Dental Bridges.