SE Calgary Dental Bridges

If you have missing teeth, East Dental Care is here to help! We are pleased to offer a variety of restorative dental treatments, including dental bridges.

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge, also known as a fixed partial denture, is used as a restorative dental treatment by joining permanently to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants next to the teeth being treated. It is made up of two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap (these two or more anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth), and a false tooth/teeth in between.

There are many different types of bridges, depending on how they are fabricated and the way in which they anchor to the adjacent teeth. Bridges are most commonly made using the indirect method of restoration, by which the bridge is fabricated outside of the mouth and cemented in afterward.

A bridge is fabricated by reducing the teeth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth to accommodate the material to be used to restore the size and shape of the original teeth in a correct alignment and contact with the opposing teeth. Once the teeth are prepared, an impression is taken and sent off to a lab for processing. The new bridge is usually sent back to the office within 1-2 weeks. To ensure protection and esthetics, a temporary bridge is made in-office while the final bridge is being processed, and temporarily placed while waiting for the permanent bridge. Once returned, the temporary bridge is removed, and the final bridge is permanently cemented.

The best candidate for a dental bridge is a person with one or more missing teeth and good dental hygiene. Special attention to hygiene at home will need to be taken, especially flossing under the bridge. Furthermore, dental visits, including professional cleanings, should be completed a minimum every six months.