A dental bridge is a type of restoration that is done to replace one or more permanent missing teeth. The gap formed from the missing tooth should be replaced in order to prevent other teeth from shifting into the open space. Shifting teeth can cause the patients bite to be affected, which can lead to problems with the jaw joint. A bridge is used to prevent this risk, replace the gap with a porcelain tooth giving the patient a cosmetic and esthetic appearance.
The process of making a bridge starts with prepping the two adjacent teeth to allow for crowns, these are called abutments. These two abutments then anchor the pontic, which is the artificial tooth that will replace the missing tooth and fill in the space.
A dental bridge is a fixed appliance, meaning that it cannot be removed from the mouth. A bridge is a strong and durable appliance that can withstand the strong occlusal forces while giving an esthetic appearance.
