Dental Bridges – Canarsie Brooklyn
How does a dental bridge work?
A dental bridge will bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. The dental bridge is made up of two or more crowns that act as teeth on either side of the gap.
We call these two or more anchoring teeth the ‘abutment teeth’. Between these is a false tooth/teeth. The dental bridge is supported by your natural teeth or implants. If you are looking for a dental bridge in Brooklyn, we can help.
A bridge not only fills the gap but also prevents repositioning of remaining teeth. It can also correct a misaligned bite, improve chewing function and speech articulation, and provide internal structure for the face to give you a more youthful appearance.
First of all, a bridge is a prosthetic tooth (or teeth) that attaches on one or both sides of your teeth, and is prepared with dental crowns. A fixed bridge is permanently joined onto the neighboring abutment teeth (crowned teeth) and consists of three basic units:
- The false tooth or teeth (called a pontic)
- Two abutment crowns
The style of bridge we suggest will depend upon the strength and health of the abutment teeth, as well as the location of the gap in relation to the rest of your dentition. If healthy adjacent abutment teeth aren’t available, a surgically-implanted metal post, known as a dental implant, may offer a solid alternative.
Who is a candidate for a dental bridge?
Individuals who are perfect candidates for dental bridges will need to have two strong and healthy teeth in their mouth on either side of the tooth which is missing. It is important that these teeth have strong roots. Patients who have had problems with these neighboring teeth that might require a root canal are not good candidates for dental bridges due to the fact the teeth could become infected or lose their strength and become damaged over time.
Patients that do not have healthy teeth in the area to be bridged would be better with dental implants. Dental implants also require healthy bones and gums and are a permanent fixture once placed in the mouth.
For a dental bridge that replaces many teeth, our Canarsie dentist Dr. Shamtoub may recommend a removable partial denture or dental implant-supported prosthesis. With proper care, a fixed dental bridge may last at least 8 to 10 years.
