Fixed Dental Bridges

Beautiful & Discreet Fixed Dental Bridges

If you are missing at least one tooth, the cosmetic dentists at Pure Dental Arts have the solution for you: a dental bridge.

Dental bridges can restore missing teeth, improve your chewing and speech, and help maintain facial bone structure (which missing teeth can affect).  A dental bridge can also stabilize the natural teeth around the empty space and prevent them from drifting out of position.

What is a dental bridge?

A bridge is a dental prosthesis that consists of a false tooth supported in place by crowns attached to the two neighboring teeth. Bridges require support from at least two teeth: the one in front of and behind the empty space. Most bridges take 2-3 weeks to complete.

Benefits of a fixed dental bridge:

  • Bridges can restore your ability to smile by filling in spaces left by missing teeth.
  • By supporting facial tissues they help you maintain a youthful appearance.
  • They can help prevent teeth on both sides of the space from shifting.
  • They can help restore your ability to speak.
  • They can help you chew and eat again easily.
  • Unlike dentures, bridges remain in place while you eat, speak, and sleep – just as your natural teeth would.

What are dental bridges made of?

  • Porcelain with a metal substructure (still commonly used).
  • Porcelain with a Zirconium substructure.  That is newer technology, and it’s more aesthetically pleasing than porcelain with a metal substructure. However, it cannot be used in every case, and special considerations need to be made regarding the patient’s bite force, teeth alignment, and overall occlusion.
  • Gold (less commonly used now)

How does your dentist create the dental bridge?

Getting a dental bridge is a two-step process:

At the first appointment, we numb the teeth in question, and then we shave (“prep”) a small amount of enamel off the adjacent teeth . We then take an impression of these teeth, which will serve as the posts, or anchors, for the bridge. In the meantime you will have a temporary bridge covering that area in order for comfort and proper function.

At the second appointment, your new custom bridge will be inspected, adjusted, and then carefully cemented into place. Multiple x-rays may be taken in order to verify that the fit of the bridge is adequate.

Implant Bridge

Bridges can also be made to fit over two implants, if there is adequate space between them. Often we do this in order to save the patient from needing three dental implants. In this case we just place 2 implants, and then bridge across them to give the patient 3 teeth via the bridge. This is a multi-step process. At the first appointment the implants are placed in the jaw bone and then allowed to heal for 3-6 months. At the second appointment the implants are uncovered, special attachments, called “healing” caps are placed onto the head of the implant. That helps the gums grow in the proper shape. At the third appointment the dentist begins the bridging process by taking molds of the implant. At the last appointment the bridge is screwed into or cemented onto the implants.

How to care for your dental bridge

Bridges can feel and look like beautiful natural teeth. However, like natural teeth, they can fail if you don’t take care of them. You need to brush around your bridge, and use a special floss threader to floss under the bridge. If you develop cavities under the bridge, you may need to get the entire bridge replaced, which can be costly. If you take meticulous care of your bridge, and the bridge itself has a perfect fit, there’s no reason your bridge can’t last for many years

Contact Pure Dental Arts in Seattle for a complimentary consultation

To get that beautiful smile and maintain good dental health, the first step is to book a complimentary consultation. We offer personalized care to fit your needs. Your busy lifestyle should not get in the way of your dental health, so we offer convenient weekday evening hours and Saturday appointments. We accept most major dental insurance plans and third-party financing options.

Contact Pure Dental Arts in Queen Anne, Seattle,  or use our convenient online form to schedule an appointment or a complimentary consultation.