Dental bridges fill the gaps between teeth to complete your beautiful smile
Whether you have lost your teeth at the front or back of your mouth, you should fill that gap immediately. Missing teeth yield numerous oral complications, including teeth misalignment, reduced chewing ability, speech issues, and degraded oral health. Thankfully, whether you are missing one or more teeth, unsightly gaps can be closed with dental bridges. Once in place, a dental bridge helps you regain confidence and comfort when smiling, eating, or talking.
Troubled by your mouth spaces due to missing teeth? Mid-Valley Dental Care, serving Northridge and its environs, can help. Drs. Terence Lau, Casey Lau, and Kayla Lau install durable and natural-looking dental bridges to rebuild your beautiful smile.
What are dental bridges?
Dental bridges are prosthetics used to replace one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges consist of artificial teeth (pontics) anchored on either side of the gap with healthy teeth (abutments) reinforced with dental crowns. Dental bridges can be made from porcelain, metal, or a mixture of both. We prefer porcelain dental bridges because they are natural looking and bio-compatible with many patients.
Types of dental bridges
Dental bridges come in many sizes and shapes. Depending on your dental needs, we may prescribe one of the below dental bridges.
- Traditional dental bridge: It’s the most common type of dental bridge. It consists of artificial teeth that fill the gap left by the lost teeth. Conventional dental bridges are supported by dental crowns placed on healthy teeth on either side of the gap.
- Cantilever bridges: They are preferable when you have missing teeth on one side of the gap. This means only one tooth (secured with a crown) supports the bridge.
- Maryland bonded bridges: These use the same structure as traditional bridges, but instead of getting support from crowns, they are anchored by a metal or porcelain framework. These bridges don’t require modification of the adjacent teeth. We simply bond the framework on the back of the teeth.
- Implant-supported bridge: If you don’t have healthy teeth on either side of the gap, we can install implants to support the dental bridge. Implant bridges don’t interfere with adjacent, healthy teeth and can be used to replace several missing teeth.
What does the dental bridge treatment involve? You need at least two dental appointments to benefit from dental bridges. The initial appointment involves oral examination, preparing the abutment teeth, and taking bite impressions. We then send your molds to a dental lab to craft your bridge. Until your permanent bridge is ready, you will wear a temporary bridge to protect your prepped teeth.
After your bridge is fabricated, we will bond it to your teeth and make several adjustments until your bite feels natural. Once you get used to your bridge, it will be so seamless that you will forget you ever lost teeth.
Reclaim your smile today with dental bridges
Ready to overcome your “gappy” smile with natural-looking dental bridges? Don’t let missing teeth hinder your confidence! If you are in Northridge, CA, and its environs, please dial (818) 886-3500 to schedule an appointment with Mid-Valley Dental Care.