(not commonly used these days)
When teeth are missing there are a number of ways we can replace those teeth. A great way to do this is using a porcelain bridge. A bridge uses the teeth on either side of the space to replace the missing teeth.
When a tooth is lost 5 or more other teeth may drift so it is essential to place a replacement tooth as soon as possible. The space left from missing teeth may cause one of several problems. Teeth may drift into the space changing your bite, this changed bite may result in sore jaws, gum disease, or decay (due to more difficult hygiene).
A fixed bridge is used to replace one or several teeth. The teeth on each end of the space are used as anchors (abutments). Bridges are not removable by the patient. As with other types of crowns (caps), a bridge can be made of metal or porcelain, or a combination of these two.
At the first appointment the teeth used to attach the bridge are carefully reshaped. Impressions are taken and from these impressions, the bridge is made by a certified dental technician. The permanent bridge is made in a laboratory in a similar way to jewellery. This laboratory time is usually 2 to 3 weeks – during this time a temporary acrylic bridge is cemented to place.
At the second appointment your temporary bridge is removed and your permanent bridge is cemented onto your teeth, now your bridge is ready to use! It is not unusual for the new Bridge to be mildly sensitive to cold temperatures for a few weeks. However, if the sensitivity is severe, does not subside, or if the bite feels uncomfortable, contact your dentist. Further adjustments to the Bridge may be necessary. There is a possibility of the nerve in the tooth dying during or after the Bridging process, especially if the tooth has been previously heavily filled. The risk is usually less than 10% per tooth but this does depend on the teeth. It is always good to ask your dentist for a more specific estimation of risk.
| A Porcelain Bridge and a Crown to replace broken and missing teeth |  |
| A Porcelain Bridge to replace missing premolar |  |
| A Porcelain Bridge to replace missing premolar |  |
| A Porcelain Bridge to replace missing molar |  |
Care for bridges
Brush and floss daily all areas around the bridge .It is not possible to floss between the replacement tooth and the attaching crowns (it is made as a solid piece). In order to solve this problem – it is necessary to use a special type of floss to go under the replacement tooth and keep this area of gum tissue healthy.