A traditional dental bridge is done by using dental crowns (caps) placed on the natural teeth surrounding a gap, with artificial teeth (pontics) suspended between them to fill the space.
Understanding the Components
A traditional dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic device used to replace one or more missing teeth. It relies on the teeth adjacent to the gap for support. According to the provided reference, a traditional dental bridge:
- Consists of dental crowns (caps) on both ends with pontics (artificial teeth) in between.
- Involves a dentist bonding the crowns to your natural teeth (abutments) on either side of the gap.
- Features the artificial teeth (pontics) filling in the space between the abutments.
Here’s a breakdown of the key parts:
| Component | Description | Role in the Bridge Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Abutment Teeth | Your natural teeth on either side of the gap | Act as anchors, supporting the crowns. |
| Dental Crowns | Caps placed over the abutment teeth | Bonded to the abutments, holding the bridge. |
| Pontic(s) | Artificial tooth/teeth replacing the missing ones | Fill the gap, connected to the crowns. |
The Process Explained
While the full process typically involves multiple steps and visits to the dentist, the fundamental structure and attachment described in the reference explain the core mechanism of how a traditional bridge is secured:
- Preparation of Abutment Teeth: The natural teeth on either side of the gap (the abutments) are prepared by removing a portion of their enamel. This makes space for the crowns to be placed over them securely.
- Impression: An impression or digital scan of the prepared teeth and the gap is taken. This serves as a model for creating the custom bridge.
- Bridge Fabrication: A dental laboratory uses the impression to fabricate the bridge. This structure includes the crowns designed to fit over the prepared abutments and the pontic(s) designed to fill the missing space, all connected as a single unit.
- Bonding: The dentist then places the completed bridge. As the reference states, the dental crowns are bonded to your prepared natural teeth (abutments). The artificial teeth (pontics) are suspended between these bonded crowns, effectively filling in the missing space and restoring the appearance and function of the smile.
This method creates a stable and durable restoration by leveraging the strength of the adjacent natural teeth as anchors for the replacement teeth.
