Due to many unavoidable reasons, one may lose one or more teeth. The missing teeth should be replaced in order to avoid complications later on. The replacements could be of removable type or fixed ones. If you are missing one or more teeth and there is at least one tooth present on either side of the space where the teeth are missing, then a fixed bridge could be used to replace those missing teeth.

The procedure involves reducing the surfaces of the adjoining teeth. This procedure is usually carried out under local anesthesia, if the teeth are vital. Once the teeth are reduced to the required shape, an impression is taken in a tray to obtain a mould of your teeth. This mold serves as a template for the fabrication of the prosthesis.

The bridges can be made in a variety of materials. They could be fully metallic, porcelain fused to metal or full ceramic. The choice of the material depends upon the clinical situation, esthetics and economics. he decision is usually taken by the patient and the dentist together.

As can be seen in the above schematic cross section through a fixed bridge and the teeth ,the abutment teeth (supporting teeth ) are prepared by "shaving" them down so that they are smaller, and their sides are slightly tapered and reasonably parallel to each other. This makes it possible to create a casting which will fit over the prepared abutment teeth.

Each casting has at least two crown retainers. These are the hollow, tooth shaped "caps" at the ends of the bridge shown above. These retainers are shaped in the form of the original tooth and replace the original anatomy (shape) of the tooth. The false teeth between the two abutments are called "pontics", and these are solidly attached to the retainers on either end. Together with the retainers they form the structure of the fixed bridge. This appliance is cemented in place permanently and should remain in position for many years.

                                                             For more information and case studies click here