When looking for a way to restore missing teeth, Charleston SC patients ask, “What is a dental bridge?”

A dental bridge is among the most well-established ways to replace a missing tooth. It may be a preferred option over dental implant-supported crowns in some cases. The bridge costs less upfront and its success does not depend on the volume of existing bone to support the artificial tooth.

A cornerstone of Mouth Carolina Dentistry, PA is “choice,” options for every type of dental procedure. If you need to fill a gap with a dental bridge, Dr. Greenberg offers both indirect, lab-made bridges and direct bridges made from composite resin shaped and bonded to teeth.

To understand this method of tooth replacement, it helps to know why it is called a dental bridge. Visualize a bridge you drive or walk over. Basically, the deck is supported by two abutment structures. The dental bridge is structured in much the same way. As a 3-unit bridge designed to replace a single tooth, it is made up of the following parts:

• The pontic or replacement tooth
• The abutment tooth to the left of the pontic
• The abutment tooth to the right of the pontic

Like a bridge used to get you from point A to point B, the new tooth is supported by abutments on each side of it. The pontic gets its strength from the adjacent teeth. To properly support your new tooth, the abutments must be crowned. The neighboring teeth must be reduced to make room for the crowns.

Dr. Greenberg will fill the gap by cementing the pontic with its neighboring crowns to adjacent teeth. As a fixed option, you can eat even sticky or hard foods confidently, without the fear of slipping long associated with conventional, removable tooth replacement options.

Unlike modern methods that get their stability from titanium alloy implants placed in the underlying bone, extensive procedures to prepare the site to receive the implant are not required. Patients with bone loss resulting from years of missing teeth may undergo grafting before implant surgery to build up the bone. Additionally, it can take several months for the implant to fuse with the bone. This post-surgical step creates a solid foundation for the replacement crown.

Preparation for bridges is generally limited to the removal of minimal structure from the teeth to the left and right of the gap. Alternately, Dr. Greenberg can directly mold and fix bridges made from a mix of tooth-colored plastic and glass.

Direct composite resin and indirect restorations fabricated from an impression of your mouth are suitable for many different patients. To discover “What is a dental bridge?” and if this option is right for you, schedule an appointment with your Charleston SC area dental provider. Call Mouth Carolina Dentistry, PA at (843)751 4262.