Bridges

Female, age 45: Failing Bridge Restored with an Esthetic New Bridge

Smile Before

 

Smile After

Top View - Before

 

Top-View After

Close-up Before

 

Close-up After

A fixed bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by using the adjacent teeth for support. A fixed bridge is permanently cemented to the supporting teeth while a removable bridge hooks to the adjacent teeth and must be removed for cleaning. Three appointments are required to complete the fixed bridge. During the first appointment, Dr. Priest will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap. Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions of the teeth are made and sent to our dental laboratory. During the second appointment, a diagnostic waxing of the bridge is tried-in and any required modifications are communicated to the technician. Dr. Priest seats a temporary bridge to be worn while the permanent bridge is being fabricated.  During the third appointment, the temporary bridge is removed and the fixed bridge is permanently cemented to the prepared teeth. This appointment rarely requires anesthesia and the patient can function with the prosthesis immediately. 

Benefits of fixed bridges:

• More esthetic than a removable bridge
• Significant improvement in chewing ability
• Feels more like natural teeth than a removable bridge
• More stable than a removable bridge
• Short treatment time vs. dental implants
• Lower initial cost than dental implants
• Prevents tooth movement

Benefits of removable bridges:

• Less costly than a fixed bridge
• Moderate chewing improvement
• Anesthesia rarely required
• Short treatment time vs. dental implants
• Lower initial cost than dental implants
• Prevents tooth movement