Dental Bridge Questions
Serving Fort Lauderdale, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and Boca Raton, Florida
What is a dental bridge? A dental bridge is a way of filling the gap left by a lost teeth. The replacement tooth is supported by tooth crowns on the neighboring teeth. Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. John Sarris uses porcelain for the replacement teeth in his metal-free cosmetic dentistry practice.
How is a dental bridge different from a dental implant?
Dental bridges replace the missing teeth and dental implants replace the missing tooth roots in the jawbone. Implants are artificial roots and cannot be seen, as they are placed in the bone. A single dental implant can support one or two replacement teeth so that both the visible gap and the invisible gap are filled. Four implants can support all the teeth on the upper or lower arch. Implants can also support a removable bridge.
How is a dental bridge different from a dental crown? A dental bridge is a unit made up of a replacement tooth and two dental crowns. There are attachments between the two crowned teeth and the replacement tooth in the middle which support and anchor the replacement tooth.
A tooth crown is a tooth cover that provides new tooth surfaces on all sides to prolong that tooth’s life. When crowns are used as part of a bridge, the crowned teeth are healthy, but they are crowned so that the attachments behind them can support the replacement tooth.
How is a dental bridge made?
Dr. Sarris designs a dental bridge by taking an impression of the teeth prepared for crowns and the gap between them where the tooth is missing. Our lab technician uses these molds to create the bridge out of dental porcelain. If you choose to have the bridge supported by a dental implant, the implant is placed first and the bridge is attached after the bone and gums have healed. Dr. Sarris chooses porcelain that will match your natural teeth, even in subtle color variations within the tooth.
What are the benefits of a dental bridge? When you lose a tooth, you have several options for how to replace it:
- A dental implant supporting a replacement tooth
- A removable denture
- A dental bridge supported by crowns on the two neighboring teeth
Each option may offer different benefits depending on your goals and circumstances. Implants are a permanent solution for the missing tooth and also fill the gap in the jawbone left by the missing root. That prevents bone resorption – shrinking of the jawbone. A removable denture costs less. A bridge can be fixed or removable and supported in various ways.
Dr. Sarris will be happy to answer questions and explain what he thinks would be your best option. To read more, please see our page on Dental Bridges.
If you would like to talk about dental bridges to Dr. Sarris, we invite you to contact our dental office today for a personal cosmetic dentistry consultation. Our office serves Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Contact Us
561.278.7450
John G. Sarris, D.M.D., P.A.
1911 S. Federal Highway, Suite 600
Delray Beach, Florida 33483
