When you are missing a single tooth you have several options. Two really good ones are a dental implant, or a porcelain bridge.
How do porcelain bridges work?
To replace a missing tooth with a bridge, it actually involves three teeth: the tooth you’re replacing, and the two adjacent teeth. Your adjacent teeth will be slightly reduced to make room for the bridge. Then an impression will be made of your teeth. From that impression, the lab will create two crowns and a false tooth. They will be constructed as one unit and fit right over the prepared teeth, where they are bonded on. All of this can generally be done in just two appointments spaced about 1-2 weeks apart.
Advantages of a bridge
- If your adjacent teeth need crowns anyway, you are taking care of two dental issues at once.
- A bridge is slightly less expensive than an implant.
- While a dental implant requires a healing period of several weeks or even months before completed, a bridge can be completed in just 1-2 weeks.
Dr. Bolt likes to use Zirconia to make his bridges. These have several great advantages. It has extremely high tensile strength, and as a result is referred to as ceramic steel. Your teeth will not crack as easily as other bridge work. It also virtually eliminates any allergic reactions. If you would like to see if you are a candidate for a porcelain bridge, you may request an appointment with our office.