Structure

A bridge consists of two supporting crowns that attach to natural teeth on the outside of the gap and a prosthetic tooth to fill in the gap from the missing tooth or teeth.

Materials

Crowns are usually made from porcelain that is fused to metal or ceramics. The false teeth are made from a variety of materials, such as alloys, ceramics, gold, porcelain or a combination of several materials.

Benefits

The main cosmetic benefits of a bridge include maintaining the structure of the face and mouth and improving the overall smile. Replacing a missing tooth or teeth relieves pressure on other teeth by evenly distributing force from chewing. A bridge also fortifies other teeth as they tend to drift out of position if an adjacent tooth is missing.

Preparation and Attachment

Natural teeth are prepared to fit the crowns by removing a portion of tooth enamel. An impression of the teeth is then taken to create the bridge. Because the natural teeth are exposed after enamel removal, a temporary bridge is needed to protect the teeth until the permanent bridge is implanted. Once a dental laboratory completes the construction of the bridge, the temporary bridge is removed and the permanent one is cemented in place.

Lifespan

Maintaining good oral hygiene is critical to the life of the bridge. Regular dental examinations are necessary because they can identify problems with the bridge before they become detrimental. If properly cared for, a bridge should last 10 to 15 years.

Source:

WebMD: Dental Health and Bridges

1-800-Dentist: Dental Bridge

More Information:

Colgate World of Care: Oral & Dental Health Basics--What are Dental Crowns and Tooth Bridges?