If you are missing one or more teeth, the teeth around the gap can drift out of position, causing you bite problems. If your teeth have drifted into unnatural positions, they can cause additional dental problems like the loss of more teeth, gum disease, and decay.

To correct the gap caused by a missing tooth and prevent other teeth from drifting in other positions, we may recommend that a dental bridge be placed. A dental bridge is a combination of two booth crowns and one or more pontics, or natural looking replacement teeth.

We begin by shaping the teeth on either side of the gap so that an abutment crown can be placed on the tooth. The custom crowns are created for your teeth with the pontic, or replacement tooth, attached to the crowns and the bridge is cemented as a sigle piece. It usually takes about one to three weeks for the permanent dental bridge to be created. In that time, you will be fitted with a provisional dental bridge that will be removed when the permanent one is bonded or cemented into place. This provisional bridge is used as a guide so the patient can try out how the bridge feels and make adjustments prior to delivery.

After the permanent dental bridge is bonded into place, you can resume enjoying life and foods without worrying about any gaps. A dental bridge will not only provide you with the function you need from your teeth, but it will give you a refreshed, full smile.