Questions About Your Dental Bridge

Serving Kanata, Stittsville and Ottawa, Ontario

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is one or more false teeth affixed to one or two tooth crowns which support them. The tooth crowns are supported by the neighboring teeth. An alternative to a dental bridge is a dental implant, which requires healthy jaw bone material and healthy gums to support the implant.

How should I care for my dental bridge?

You should care for your dental bridge like you care for your natural teeth with the exception that it is more difficult to floss between the false tooth and supporting tooth crowns of the bridge. You may also use mouthwash and your regular toothpaste on your dental bridge.

How long will my dental bridge last?

Dental bridges are made of dental porcelain, a very resilient material which can be crafted to look almost exactly like your natural teeth. Because dental porcelain is very similar in chemical stability to your natural tooth material, your dental bridge will not only replace your tooth, but help protect the teeth that are supporting the false tooth. If you care for you dental bridge as recommended, it is very possible that it will last as long as the natural teeth which support it.

What is the difference between a dental bridge and a dental implant?

A dental bridge is a false tooth connected to one or two tooth crowns, and a dental implant is a dental crown attached to a titanium implant. The implant is inserted directly into your jaw where the root of your missing tooth used to be. The main differences are:

• Dental bridges have more than one tooth restoration fused together and involve preparation of adjacent teeth
• Dental implants are individual tooth crowns
• You cannot floss between the restorations of a dental bridge
• You can floss between dental implants and their neighboring teeth
• Dental bridges have no metal content
• Dental implants are a surgical titanium post covered by a porcelain tooth crown

When is a dental bridge preferable over a dental implant?

While cosmetic dentists generally prefer to use dental implants whenever possible, a dental bridge may be preferred over a dental implant in some cases. If the jaw and gum material which used to support the missing tooth are in poor condition, Ottawa cosmetic dentist Dr. Ami Barakat may recommend a dental bridge instead of a dental implant.

Please contact our Ottawa cosmetic dentist today to schedule your consultation, available for patients in the Stittsville, Kanata, and Ottawa areas of Ontario.