A dental bridge is created to replace one or more missing teeth by utilizing the adjacent teeth for support.
Components of a Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is essentially composed of three primary parts:
- Abutment Teeth: These are the natural teeth on either side of the gap where teeth are missing. They act as the anchors for the bridge. According to the reference, a bridge requires two or more crowns for the teeth on either side of the gap.
- Crowns: These are custom-made caps that are placed over the abutment teeth. They provide the necessary structure and support for the bridge.
- Pontic: This is the artificial tooth that fills the gap created by the missing tooth. It's the false tooth/teeth in between as stated by the reference.
The Creation Process
The process of creating a dental bridge generally follows these steps:
- Preparation of Abutment Teeth: The dentist reshapes the abutment teeth by removing a portion of the enamel to make space for the crowns.
- Impressions: An impression of the teeth is taken, which includes the abutment teeth and the gap where the pontic will be placed.
- Temporary Bridge: A temporary bridge is placed to protect the prepared teeth and maintain space while the permanent bridge is being made.
- Permanent Bridge Fabrication: The dental laboratory fabricates the permanent bridge based on the impressions. This involves creating the crowns and pontic from materials such as porcelain, metal, or a combination of both.
- Fitting and Cementation: The dentist removes the temporary bridge and fits the permanent bridge. If the fit is correct and comfortable, the bridge is cemented into place.
Summary Table
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Abutment Teeth | Natural teeth on either side of the gap, used as anchors. |
| Crowns | Caps placed over the abutment teeth for support. |
| Pontic | The false tooth or teeth that fill the gap. |
| Process | Involves preparing abutment teeth, taking impressions, fabricating, and cementing the bridge. |
