Dental bridges are one of the restorative measures used in replacing missing teeth. As the name indicates, a bridge is used to bridge a gap that is attributed to tooth loss between the teeth. The dental appliance is comprised of three crowns. Two crowns are situated at either end of the appliance and serve as abutments. They are placed as anchors to the adjacent teeth. The middle crown, or the pontic, is an artificial tooth.
Dental Materials Used for Making Fixed Bridges
In instances where no adjacent teeth can be used as abutments, dental implants are utilized instead. The dental bridge is fixed, meaning that its abutment crowns are cemented on the healthy adjacent teeth or dental implants. For purposes of restorative dentistry in Ely, IA, bridges may be made from various materials. According to Ely Restorative Dentistry Burlington professionals, these materials may include porcelain, silver, gold, or porcelain fused to metal.
The Installation of a Bridge Generally Takes Two Visits
It typically takes two dental visits for restorative dentistry technicians to create a dental bridge. During the initial visit, a local anesthetic is injected into the teeth that are meant to serve as abutments. Following this approach makes the process more comfortable. The teeth that are used as abutments are resized and reshaped so they can accommodate the pontic or artificial tooth.
A Customized Approach
Next, a dental impression of the abutments is made and delivered to a dental lab. Therefore, this type of restorative dentistry uses a customized approach when creating the dental appliance. On the second visit, then the bridge is adjusted to ensure a proper fit. Once the fit is confirmed, the bridge is cemented into place.
