Bridges Over Natural Teeth

When implants are not an option for your missing tooth, a bridge may be considered. A bridge uses the teeth on either side of the space to support a false tooth. The decision to use a bridge is based mostly on the strengths of the supporting teeth. They should have adequate health with the bone, gum, root size, etc, to be expected to adequately support the missing neighbor. Bridges, like other dental restorations for natural teeth can be subject to recurrent decay as a downside. The “upside” is that there generally is no surgery required and the total time of treatment is less than with implants.

Technological advances with bridges continue to be in the materials and methods for impressions. Zirconia hardened ceramic frameworks are slowly replacing metal, and milled ceramic artificial teeth are being introduced through the CAD/CAM CEREC method. Digital cameras now make “digital impressions” instead of the use of rubber impressions—much easier on you! We have a unique opportunity to do clinical research in our setting in Grosse Pointe, and our data will continue to be forwarded to our dental colleagues around the country.