Comprehensive Dental Services
Bradley A. Randolph, D.D.S.
MJ Kirk, D.D.S.
Dental Bridges
What are Dental Bridges?
Dental bridges are false teeth, which are anchored onto neighboring teeth in order to replace one or more missing teeth. The false tooth is known as a pontic and is fused in between two crowns that serve as anchors by attaching to the teeth on each side of the false tooth, thereby bridging them together.
When are Dental Bridges Needed?
Your Smile & Appearance
Your Speech
Your Bite
The Shape of your face
Three Main Types of Dental Bridges
Traditional Fixed Bridges
This is the most commonly used type of bridge and consists of a pontic fused between two porcelain crowns that are anchored on neighboring teeth or implants. The pontic is usually made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics. These are fixed and cannot be removed.
Resin-bonded bridges or Maryland-bonded bridges
This style of bridge is utilized when the adjacent teeth have had no prior treatment, or the area to be filled is very cosmetic and the goal is to be very conservative in the approach. The false tooth is made from ceramic substrate and the retainers (wings) can be made of either metal or ceramic. They are bonded or glued to the back side of the adjacent teeth.
Cantilever bridges
These are opted for in areas such as the front teeth that are susceptible to lower stress. Cantilever bridges are used when there are teeth present on only one side of the space, where the false tooth is anchored to one or more adjacent teeth on one side.