Sometimes, even the most diligent brusher and flosser can experience damage to their teeth due to decay, cracks or trauma. At Icon Dental Center, we utilize dental bridges as one of our solutions for damaged teeth. A dental bridge is a common, affordable, time-tested, and low-risk treatment for missing teeth. Dental bridges fix existing issues and prevent new ones from surfacing in the future.

Advantages of Dental Bridges

• Restore your smile
• Restore your ability to chew and speak properly
• Help you maintain your face shape
• Properly distribute your bite
• Prevent your natural teeth from drifting out of place
• Are esthetic, functional, predictable, reliable
• Less costly than dental implants

Icon Dental Center will prescribe a dental bridge when one or more teeth are missing and there are healthy teeth on both sides of the open space. Bridges can be made from three types of material, solid gold for reliable long wear, porcelain fused to a gold base for strength and beauty, and high-strength metal-free porcelain for optimum cosmetic results. With proper care, your new bridge will increase your overall health and instill confidence for years to come.

When a Bridge is Needed

Dental health is the most important reason to get a dental bridge but many individuals also get dental bridges for appearance. A dental bridge helps support your lips and cheeks. Teeth are designed to complement each other so when teeth are missing unusual stress is placed on the gums and other oral tissues which can cause a number of potentially harmful disorders and can cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older. Dental bridges can be permanently attached (fixed bridges) or they can be removable.

• Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth.
• Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments.

How Dental Bridges Work

1. Bridges are prescribed for missing teeth.	2. The adjacent teeth are prepared by eliminating tooth structure.
3. After fabrication, the bridge is cemented to the prepared teeth.	4. Bridges restore the natural beauty and health of teeth.

Types of Dental Bridges

There are 3 main types of dental bridges.

• Traditional dental bridges -These types of bridges consist of dental crowns for the teeth on either side of the missing tooth with a replacement tooth in between.
• Cantilever dental bridges – These bridges are used when there is only an adjacent tooth on one side of the missing tooth. These are prescribed infrequently.
• Resin-bonded dental bridges – These bridges are made of porcelain or plastic teeth and gums supported by a porcelain framework. Porcelain wings on either side of the bridge are bonded to your teeth.

Procedure Duration

Placing a dental bridge typically takes more than one visit. On your initial visit, we prepare the teeth on both sides of the gap. Then we will later attach the bridge to these teeth. We then take an impression or an image of your teeth and the space. Then we send it to a dental laboratory to make the dental bridge. To protect your prepared teeth, we insert a temporary bridge. When your permanent dental bridge is ready we fit, adjust and cement the dental bridge to the prepared teeth. As with any procedure offered at Icon Dental Center, the cost of Dental Bridge treatment varies from candidate to candidate, and we encourage you to review your dental insurance information regarding coverage for this treatment. Please don’t hesitate to contact our South Everett office if you have questions.