Bridges

Bridges can be used to replace missing teeth if there are teeth on either side of the missing tooth. The two teeth are prepared for crowns, then a dental technician can fabricate a bridge with the missing tooth attached to the two crowns. This is all made in one piece to look like three separate teeth.

Depending on the difficulty of the situation it will take about 90 minutes to prepare the teeth for a bridge. An impression (mould) is taken of the prepared teeth and sent to a Dental Laboratory.

Three weeks later the dentist takes about 60 minutes to fit and cement the bridge. Your new bridge should last for many years as long as the supporting teeth stay healthy.

Crowns or Fixed Prosthesis - Bridges

Gold alloys have been used for many years for the construction of crowns or fixed bridges. They provide excellent, strong,and durable service. Two major types of alloys are now available:

• High Noble Metals. Mostly gold, also palladium, silver; occasionally platinum, zinc, copper
• Base Metal. Mostly nickel also chrome or cobalt and other base metals. These metals are not used in our practice

All of the above metals are used either as the sole constituent of a crown, or as a base on which porcelain is fired (baked).

Your Choices for Bridges

• Metal Alone (High Noble metal). Longevity more than 10 years, gold color; moderate-to-high initial cost; may be used in any area where metal display is acceptable
• Porcelain Fused to Metal. Longevity 10-20 years; tooth-coloured; moderate-to-high initial cost. Mainly used where high strength is a requirement. Aesthetics are good to excellent.
• All Ceramic Crowns. (a maximum of three units of bridgework can be constructed using this technique). Longevity 10-20 years; moderate-to-high initial cost; advantage is superior aesthetic appearance