What is a Crown Bridge?

Bridges fill the space left by a missing tooth or teeth. They are sometimes called crown bridges because the bridge is held in place with a crown on either side of the gap. If you are missing teeth, a crown bridge in Oshawa might be right for you.

How Does a Crown Bridge Work?

The bridge in a crown bridge is made of false teeth. These false teeth are  called pontics and are mounted to a metal or porcelain framework. The pontics can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, porcelain fused to metal or ceramic, or even plastic. To anchor the bridge in position, crowns are fitted over your natural teeth or over implants.

The Procedure

To fit a bridge, the first step is preparing your teeth for the crowns. If you and your dentist are planning to use your natural teeth as abutments, this involves removing some of the enamel. If you need implants, this requires surgery — first to fit the implant, then to add an abutment. Once your mouth is prepared, your dentist will make an impression of your mouth to send to a dental lab. While you wait, you will use a temporary bridge to protect your teeth and gums.

As soon as your permanent bridge is ready, you will return to the clinic. Your dentist will remove the temporary bridge and check the fit of the new one. You may need to return several times for further adjustments to ensure the crown bridge continues to fit well.

Caring for Your Crown Bridge

Even though both your crown and bridge will be made from strong materials, they still require care. To avoid damage, only use your crown bridge to bite food and never other objects. Also, good oral hygiene will still be a necessity to prevent gum disease and decay to your natural teeth. Call your Oshawa dentist now!