Dental bridges are a great way to replace one or more missing teeth. Gaps left by missing teeth will eventually cause remaining teeth to rotate or shift into empty spaces, resulting in a bad bite. The imbalance caused by missing teeth can also lead to gum disease and TMJ disorders. A dental bridge can solve aesthetic and functionality problems by replacing your missing teeth. Pathways Dental Clinic is pleased to offer Calgary Dental Bridges to replace one or more missing teeth!
What is a Dental Bridge?
A dental bridge is a restorative dental option to replace one or more missing teeth in the same area. Rather than acting as an artificial root and attaching to your gums, it uses adjacent teeth as anchors, connecting them to fabricate a single-unit prosthesis. A dental bridge attaches to the remaining healthy teeth surrounding a gap, to create a bridge across the area in a recipient’s smile.
What are the Benefits of replacing missing teeth with a Dental Bridge?
- Restores function and chewing ability
- Restores aesthetics
- Prevents surrounding teeth from drifting and shifting out of position and into the space created by the missing teeth
- Prevents uneven wear of teeth
How is a Dental Bridge Fabricated?
At your first appointment, Dr. Kim or Dr. Bouma will prepare the adjacent teeth on either side of the missing tooth (the “abutment teeth”), by conservatively reducing those teeth in size to accommodate the material being used to restore the size and shape of the original teeth. An impression will be taken and then sent to the lab. One to two weeks later, you will return to our office to get your new custom bridge inserted. There are many types of dental bridges available, and the best option for you depends on your specific situation. Our Pathways Dental Clinic team will thoroughly examine your teeth to present you with the best treatment for your situation.
Dental Bridge or Dental Implant: How the Two Compare
A bridge anchors to the natural teeth on either side of the gap, so there is no surgery and no months of healing before the new tooth is in place. Most patients finish treatment in two visits, about one to two weeks apart, once the abutment teeth are shaped and the lab has the bridge ready.
A dental implant replaces the tooth root itself, so the teeth next to the gap stay untouched, but the jawbone needs several months to fuse with the implant before a crown goes on top. Dr. Kim or Dr. Bouma will look at the strength of the teeth framing your gap and how many teeth are missing before recommending a bridge or dental implants for your case.
The Two Ways We Build a Bridge
A tooth-supported bridge caps the tooth on each side of the gap with a crown, the same preparation we use for dental crowns, then joins them with a pontic that fills the space.
An implant-supported bridge rests on one or two implants instead of your natural teeth, which we recommend when several teeth are missing in a row and there is not a strong tooth left nearby to anchor a traditional bridge.
How Long a Bridge Lasts, and What Shortens It
A well-fitted bridge commonly lasts ten to fifteen years, and often longer, with regular brushing, flossing under the pontic with a threader or water flosser, and checkups every six months. The most common reason a bridge fails early is decay at the edge of an abutment tooth, so we keep an eye on those teeth at every visit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bridges in NE Calgary
Can one bridge replace more than one missing tooth?
Yes, a single bridge can span two or three missing teeth in a row, as long as the teeth on each end are strong enough to support the extra load. If more teeth are missing, an implant-supported bridge usually holds up better than stretching a tooth-supported one.
What if the teeth next to my gap already have fillings or look a little weak?
We check those teeth at your exam before recommending a bridge. A tooth with a small filling can usually still anchor a bridge, but one that is cracked or has extensive decay may need a crown or root canal first, or point us toward an implant-supported option instead.
How soon after a tooth is pulled can a bridge go in?
We generally wait for the gum and bone to settle, often six to eight weeks, before taking impressions for a bridge. Book a consultation and we can give you a timeline based on how your extraction site is healing.
Does dental insurance usually help cover a bridge?
Most plans put bridges under major restorative work and cover a portion of the cost, though the percentage and annual maximum vary by provider. Bring your insurance details to your consultation and our team can help you understand what is covered before treatment starts.
It is best to replace teeth as soon as possible to prevent any negative outcome. We encourage you to call us to learn more about Calgary dental bridges, and whether it might be the right solution for you.
Pathways Dental Clinic Online Reviews
Sharayah Dillon
I have always felt uncomfortable with dentists, and have always had a bad time with the freezing portion of the treatment. Dr. Kim and his dental assistant today were fantastic and very well spoken. They kept checking to make sure I was okay and that I was comfortable! I also like that they explained everything they were doing as they were doing it, that definitely put me more at ease. THANK YOU PATHWAYS DENTAL!!
Dental Emergency
Suffering Dental Pain? We welcome ALL patients experiencing dental emergencies. Call Today!
Learn More