Fixed Bridges

Bridges are restorations cemented in place and used to replace missing teeth. This is just one of several options for replacing missing teeth, with implants and dentures being the others. The material options for bridges is the same for that of crowns, however the longer the span of the bridge (space between abutment teeth), the more flex it has and the higher the risk for porcelain fracture. Bridges work best when there are solid teeth on either side of the missing tooth. Depending on the quality of the abutment teeth (teeth used as anchors for the bridge), and the number of pontics (portion that replaces a tooth) the preparations on abutments may be minimally invasive (similar to a veneer), or more invasive, like a crown. The abutment teeth may be natural teeth or implants. The key for longevity of bridge work is cleanliness, and strong abutment teeth.

Case #4 - 5 Unit Bridge

This patient had an existing bridge and one of the anchor teeth rotted out underneath. In order to preserve this patient's smile the old bridge was removed, bad tooth extracted, and new bridge prepared. Final result was a great smile. The photos show the process from initial bridge to final bridge.

Case #3 - 3 Unit Hybrid Bridge

For this case, the abutment tooth in front of the space was a virgin tooth, and the tooth behind the space in pretty good shape. To minimize loss of healthy tooth structure, a combination between a Maryland Bridge (metal sleeves that wrap around the back side of the tooth for anchorage), and a conventional bridge (traditional crown preps). Although this left a bit of a transition line between the pontic and front abutment tooth, the bridge preparation was very conservative.

Case #2 - 3 Unit Hygienic Bridge

This individual wanted a single tooth replaced on the bottom left. As cosmetics were not of a huge concern here, a hygienic bridge was fabricate. This bridge is called a hygienic design due to the space left between the gum tissue and the pontic (part of bridge replacing the missing tooth). This allows for easier cleaning under the pontic and better monitoring of the bridge for possible break down and repair in the future.

Case #1 - 5 Unit Implant Bridge.

This individual was missing 5 front teeth and did not want a removable partial denture anymore. To provide a fixed restoration implant placement was chosen (span to long to provide a long lasting bridge on natural teeth). Three implants were placed and a 5 unit bridge fabricated to be cemented to them.