Ashburton Dental Bridges
If you’re missing a single tooth or multiple teeth, you’ve probably wished that you could regain the full function of your mouth. A dental bridge is an option to do so with a permanent fixture anchored to neighbouring natural teeth, filling in the gap and preventing other teeth from drifting.
Dental bridges are available at Cambridge Dental and can be an excellent alternative if you don’t want to have dental implants or a partial denture. Many materials and designs are available, meaning we can tailor the device to your situation. Each dental bridge in Ashburton is handcrafted by our technicians so that it looks natural and healthy, fitting in seamlessly to your bite.
The Types of Dental Bridges
The several kinds of bridges include:
Cantilever
A bridge with a single false tooth, also known as a pontic, attached to one crown, called the abutment.
Fixed
A bridge formed by three crowns joined together. The end ones cover natural teeth and the crown in the middle fills the gap where a tooth is missing. You can even have four, five or more crowns joined together.
Adhesive
A false tooth acts as the pontic with a tooth-coloured or metal “wing” attached to neighbouring teeth on each side. One or two wings can be used.
The Materials Available
Your particular situation will be the deciding factor in what material is best for your bridge. All-metal, tooth-coloured, ceramic and composite are available.
Getting Started
To receive a dental bridge, two appointments are required.
Preparation
A local anaesthetic is given to numb the area. Then, your dentist shapes the tooth’s outer surfaces to suit the bridge. An impression is taken using putty applied into a tray of teeth to understand how best to create the bridge for your bite. This information is sent to the laboratory and will take 2-3 weeks to create your bridge while you’re given a temporary crown to protect the prepared tooth.
Fitting
A local anaesthetic is given to numb the area. We’ll remove your temporary crown, then fit your new bridge into place. We’ll ensure that it’s comfortable and that you’re happy with the appearance, then permanently cement it into place.
