Bridges (tooth coloured porcelain)

Bridges

A bridge helps replace a missing tooth. The two teeth on either side of the missing-tooth-gap have a thin layer of tooth structure removed (just like with a crown), and then a porcelain bridge consisting of “two crowns connected by an artificial tooth” is made to fill the gap. Bridges are relatively quick to make, but they involve cutting into “innocent bystander” teeth. Where dental implants use a 1-tooth solution to fix a 1-missing-tooth problem, bridges are a 3-tooth solution for a 1-missing tooth problem. Bridges are also susceptible to decay and the underside of them must be cleaned diligently using special flossing accessories. Unlike implants, bridges don't help maintain the bone where the missing tooth was located, and the gum and bone will shrink over time.