Dental bridges can have a significant impact on your smile and oral health. They affect your chewing function, the way your jaw fits together and can change the shape of your face over time. It can also lead to more serious problems like gum disease, tooth decay and even bone loss. Dental bridges are an effective treatment option for replacing missing teeth. They are more comfortable than partial dentures and cheaper than dental implants.

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Dental bridges consist of artificial “teeth” that are anchored to natural teeth on both sides. They can be made from a variety of materials, depending on your needs and budget. The most common is porcelain bonded to precious or non-precious metals for strength. You can also get a new type of dental bridge that has metal wings that are bonded to the back of your existing teeth, called a Maryland style bridge.

Your dentist will determine if you are a good candidate for a dental bridge by examining your teeth. To qualify for a dental bridge you need healthy, adjacent teeth that are free of decay and gum disease. Then your dentist will prep the anchor (abutment) teeth by shaping them to make room for the dental crowns that will support the bridge. They will take a detailed scan of your mouth with our state-of-the-art iTero scanner that eliminates the need for messy goopy impressions and sends the information to a lab where the bridge and crowns are custom-made to fit your specific teeth.