Dental Crowns & Bridges in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Bridge

A dental bridge is used to bridge gaps caused by missing teeth. They span the space between the missing teeth and are fixed or cemented to your natural teeth or the implants on either side of the empty space. These teeth are covered with crowns and serve as anchors for the bridge, which will be covered with crowns that will act as replacement teeth. Similar to crowns, bridges are also fixed into the teeth and can only be removed by a dentist.

The material of the bridge used depends upon a number of factors such as:

• The location of the teeth gap
• How a patient wants the bridge to look
• The function of the missing teeth
• The budget

Generally, patients opt for porcelain or ceramic bridges, because they can be made to match the natural look and color of one’s teeth and do not give the appearance of replacement teeth.

Getting crowns and bridges for your teeth

Before a bridge or crown is placed, your teeth may have to be reduced in size in order to get the right fit. After this is done, an impression is taken for the laboratory where they will create your crown or bridge to match the natural color of your teeth.

This procedure takes a bit of time. Until the permanent crown or bridge is prepared, a temporary one is fitted to cover the area being repaired. Once the permanent device is ready, the temporary one is removed and the permanent one is cemented into place.

Maintaining a good oral hygiene regimen is essential to ensure the longevity of your bridge or crown. One should also avoid chewing very hard foods to prevent damage to a newly placed crown or bridge.