If you are missing some of your teeth, then you may be a prime candidate for a dental bridge. If you meet the necessary criteria for a bridge, then you can have your teeth replaced permanently without a lot of invasive work. Also, if you have some damaged teeth near the missing ones, then those damaged teeth can be repaired at the same time. Learn all about dental bridges, how they are put on, and the benefits they offer you in this article.

What are dental bridges?

A dental bridge is one solid structure that's used to replace one or more missing teeth. It is put in place permanently and porcelain is used over metal to create the replacement teeth. They are each connected on the sides and designed so that this is unnoticeable. Along with the replacement teeth, crowns are also attached along the bridge, which gets adhered to some of your natural teeth. These crowns become the anchors for the entire bridge.

How are dental bridges put on?

Once it's been determined that you will have a bridge put in place to replace missing teeth, the dentist will prepare the anchoring teeth for the crowns by using a handheld told to grind them down a bit. Then, they will guide you through biting on a mold that goes to a lab where the bridge is made to fit. When the bridge is completed, the dentist will have you come back in. They will clean your teeth so the anchoring teeth aren't dirty when they have the crowns put on them.

The dentist will make sure the bridge fits by temporarily putting it in place. Once they have checked its fit, they will remove it and put a bonding material on the anchoring teeth. Then, they will put it back in place and press down firmly to get a good fit.

What are the benefits of a dental bridge?

A dental bridge can be a good option because it will give you replacement teeth that look and feel real. In order to get those replacement teeth, you won't have to have any painful procedures done. Another great benefit to this option is you can have the anchoring crowns put on teeth that are in need of repair, so the bridge actually helps you in different ways. Once you leave the dentist's office with it in place, you will have permanent teeth from that point forward.

For more information on these or other dental procedures, talk with a dentist like John S. Lyon DDS.