Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are a fairly simple and cost effective way to replace one or more missing teeth. This permanent treatment involves placing a false tooth (known as a pontic) in the gap, such that it is supported by two crowns bonded to the adjacent healthy and natural teeth on either side of the space, forming a bridge.

Losing your natural permanent teeth, due to severe trauma or infection that leads to tooth extraction, can disrupt the normal functions of your mouth, including speaking and chewing, and impact your bite. The remaining teeth can also shift, causing pain, change in appearance of your face, and increased risk of periodontal disease.

Dr. Dang can recommend a dental bridge to replace missing teeth, reduce the stress of your bite due to misalignment, and to maintain the shape of your face.

How dental bridges are placed
If you’re a suitable candidate for bridges, you’ll need at least two dental appointments. On your first appointment, the dentist will prepare the abutment teeth (teeth adjacent to the gap) for crown placement, to anchor the replacement tooth.

We will take an impression of your teeth and the gap, which will be sent to the dental lab to fabricate your custom false tooth and crown. A temporary bridge will be placed to allow you to function normally as you wait for the permanent bridge.

On your second appointment, Dr. Dang will remove the temporary bridge and fit, adjust, and cement the permanent one on the abutment teeth. When the pontic is attached to two abutment teeth on both sides of the gap, it is known as a traditional bridge.

If the pontic is attached to an abutment tooth on only one side of the gap, then it is known as a cantilever bridge. If you have two or more missing teeth and don’t have healthy teeth to support a bridge, the dentist may recommend that you get dental implants to support the pontic. However, implant-supported bridges take months to be completely finished because you need enough time for the implant to heal before placing the bridge.

Are dental bridges right for you?
Bridges are custom-made for each patient to match the size and shape of your surrounding teeth and fit in your mouth perfectly. However, this treatment requires you to have strong adjacent teeth to support the false tooth or pontic. Please visit our dentist at Precision Dental in Garden Grove for consultation and personalized treatment for your case.