Porcelain Fixed Bridge Specialist

What is a porcelain fixed bridge?

A porcelain fixed bridge is a type of oral prosthetic designed to fill a space in your smile caused by one or more missing teeth. The most popular type of porcelain fixed bridge is a traditional bridge, which features a metal framework. 

A traditional porcelain fixed bridge consists of two crowns that your Tyson’s Dental Design Center provider attaches to your teeth on either side of the gap. A prosthetic tooth, or pontic, fills the space and restores your smile to its near original condition. A porcelain fixed bridge mimics the color and light-reflecting properties of your natural tooth enamel, so no one but you and your dentist will know you’ve had any work done.

Why would I need a porcelain fixed bridge?

The team at Tyson’s Dental Design Center might recommend a porcelain fixed bridge to:

• Fill a space in your smile
• Restore your chewing ability
• Prevent bone loss
• Upgrade a partial denture

They might also recommend a porcelain fixed bridge to prevent your other permanent teeth from moving out of position compounding your oral health problems. 

What is the process for receiving a porcelain fixed bridge?

Receiving a porcelain fixed bridge typically takes a series of appointments. At your first appointment, your dentist performs an oral exam, reviews your medical history, and discusses your goals for treatment. If your surrounding teeth are healthy and free of decay, your dentist moves forward with treatment. 

First, they numb your gums with a local anesthetic and carefully file your teeth on either side of the gap to prepare for the porcelain fixed bridge. After preparing your teeth, your dentist takes a series of molds and sends them to a dental laboratory that manufactures your bridge.

You return to the office two to three weeks later. At your second appointment, your dentist aligns your porcelain fixed bridge and cements it in place, a process that takes between 60-90 minutes. 

How long do porcelain fixed bridges last?

Porcelain fixed bridges aren’t invincible, but if you take good care of yours, it can last for between 10-15 years. You can extend the life of your porcelain fixed bridge by brushing and flossing regularly, visiting the team at Tyson’s Dental Design Center for bi-annual check-ups, and avoiding bad habits like nail-biting. 

If you have a gap or space in your smile, make an appointment with the team at Tyson’s Dental Design Center. Call the office or click the online booking tool today.