Bridges
What are Bridges?
Dental bridges, which are also known as fixed partial dentures, are used to replace one or more missing teeth and are attached to the adjacent natural teeth or dental implants.
Benefits of Bridges
Bridges not only restore appearance, they also restore dental function by replacing missing teeth.
- Bridges look like your natural teeth and enable you to chew and bite just like your own teeth
- They prevent neighboring teeth from moving into the gap left by missing teeth
- Bridges also improve speech by closing up gaps between teeth
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What does the procedure involve?
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How much time before the whole process is completed?
When will I be able to resume daily activities?
Will I be in pain?
How long will the bridges last?
What does the procedure involve?
1. Consultation and assessment
An assessment will be made by the dental specialist (prosthodontist) to ensure that the teeth next to the missing teeth are in good health. Sometimes, root canal treatment may be recommended when there is extensive dental decay.
2. Preparation for the bridge
Approximately 1 mm of tooth structure will be removed from the supporting teeth and a mold of the teeth will then be made. The bridge will be fabricated in the dental laboratory, a process which usually takes a few days. While the bridge is being fabricated, a temporary bridge will be cemented to the adjacent teeth to protect the supporting teeth.
3. Fitting of the bridge
Once the permanent bridge is ready, the temporary bridge will be removed and the permanent bridge will be cemented onto the teeth.
How much time before the whole process is completed?
Two visits are usually required to complete the process. The first visit is the consultation and mold making, and the second visit involves the fitting of the permanent bridge. The treatment can be completed in as little as 3 to 7 days.
When will I be able to resume daily activities?
Close to 100% of our patients resume normal daily activities within a few hours.
Will I be in pain?
There should not be any pain or discomfort after the procedure. Occasionally, a few of our patients may experience some mild sensitivity, which typically would calm down with time and/or after a few days of medication.
How long will the bridges last?
Research has shown that the success rate for bridges in general, is about 85% to 90% over ten years. This means that out of 100 bridges done, about 10 to 15 of them may need to some fixing and repairing over a long period of time.
With proper case selection, daily home care and regular professional maintenance (every 6 months check-up), most bridges will last for decades.