Bridges

Dental Bridges
Bridges are made up crowns attached to the teeth, or implants, on either side of a gap (missing tooth). A false tooth (pontic) is “attached” to these other crowns. Dr. John Halmaghi, a top dentist at Comfort Dental in Southfield, Michigan offers many options for dental bridges.

Types of Bridges:
There are four types of Dental Bridges: Traditional Bridges, Cantilever Bridge, Maryland Bonded Bridge, and Encore Bridge.

Traditional Bridges:
Traditional bridges are the most commonly used type of dental bridge and are made of ceramic or porcelain fused to metal (PFM).

Before X-Rays show teeth with root canals and old crown that has decay under margins. Back tooth had fractured and worn out enamel.

After X-Rays show 4-unit bridge which replaced old crown, stabilized root canaled tooth, and rebuild the broken down back tooth.

If there are weak or no surrounding teeth to support the crowns, dental implants can be used to fix the bridge in place. Bridges can be placed on virgin teeth or on implants

X-Ray shows standard 3-unitBridge utilizing virgin teeth.	X-Ray shows 3-unit bridge utilizing implants

Bridges can straighten teeth without braces.

Bridges can be used to restore shifting and bite collapse problems without utilizing braces.	Notice how we straightened out this bite with a new bridge

Cantilever Bridge

This type of dental bridge is used when there are teeth on only one side of the gap in the mouth (left X-Ray) or when the patient does not desire to grind down an additional tooth (right X-Ray). Two crowns fused to the replacement tooth are used to fix the bridge to the adjacent natural teeth. Although we do NOT recommend this type of bridge, there are particular situations where they can provide intermediate stabilization for patients who cannot afford or are not candidates for implants and for situations where the patient may be concerned about grinding down adjacent teeth.

Maryland Bonded Bridge
This type of dental bridge is made up of porcelain teeth and gums supported by a metal or porcelain (Encore bridge) framework. The bonded dental bridge is generally lower in cost than other types of bridges and is the most simple to apply.

Encore Bridge
The Encore Bridge is constructed with a fiber reinforced polymer framework with a porcelain veneer. The absence of metal eliminates the typical metallic "shine through" associated with Maryland Bridges.

The polymer framework (patented unidirectional glass fibers) is completely bondable and therefore does not require invasive preparation of abutment teeth.

The cosmetic results allows for a fabulous smile which will endure for years without the possibility of acquiring the "metallic-look" that is commonplace with ordinary bridgework.

Encore vs Maryland
The popular treatment of using a Maryland Bridge would create the current cosmetic goal of having a full smile but would also involve significant invasive alteration of adjacent tooth structures... which she did not want.

Dr. Halmaghi's treatment plan incorporated the use of an Encore Bridge which is constructed with a fiber reinforced polymer framework with a porcelain veneer. The absence of metal eliminates the typical metallic "shine through" associated with Maryland Bridges.

The polymer framework (patented unidirectional glass fibers) is completely bondable and therefore does not require invasivepreparation of abutment teeth.

The cosmetic result exceeded our patient's expectations. She now has the smile she wanted which will endure for years without the possibility of acquiring the "metallic-look" that is commonplace with ordinary bridgework.

There are indeed alternatives to even the most standard of treatment plans. With today's advancements in dental technologies and materials, Dr. Halmaghi is able to create a choice of treatment plans to meet just about any type of unique need related to genetic abnormalities in dentition for his patients.

Congenital Missing Teeth

Missing Incisor Teeth Replacement
Congenitally missing incisors is a fairly common anomoly within the area of dental defects that are congenital in origin.

Our young patient had a history of conventional orthodontics in an attempt to move her teeth closer. In this particular case orthodontia cannot move teeth into the missing incisor area.

This patient, a mere 14 years old, was committed to having Dr. Halmaghi implement a specialized treatment plan he had created and managed to use her own personal finances to fund the treatment. Our patient's long term goal, as she becomes older, is to have premium dental implants to fill the void.

This patient, a mere 14 years old, was committed to having Dr. Halmaghi implement a specialized treatment plan he had created and managed to use her own personal finances to fund the treatment. Our patient's long term goal, as she becomes older, is to have premium dental implants to fill the void.

The Dental Bridge Procedure
Bridge work begins by filing down (grinding down) the adjacent teeth to accommodate the crowns. Then, we will take impressions of the teeth, which will be used to create the bridge in the laboratory. Normal laboratory time frame is 10 lab working days. A temporary bridge will be temporarily cemented in your mouth to protect your teeth and keep them stable during the lab time.

At your return visit, we permanently and securely cement the bridge over the surrounding teeth to complete your smile with the dental bridge. With proper care, dental bridges can last many decades. We will review proper hygiene techniques with you at each visit, as it normally takes a little extra effort to take care of your new bridge. Floss threaders, WaterPik, and interdental cleaners are always recommended.

PFM Bridge (underside) Same PFM Bridge
(top side) Same PFM Bridge in mouth

Stabilizing a bite, reconstructing a bite, or simply improving esthetics…Today’s bridges can do it all.

Before

After

If would like to schedule a consultation at Comfort Dental in Southfield, Michigan to see if a bridge is right for you, call 248-646-2273.