A crown bridge replaces a missing tooth that has been extracted or which was missing from birth. When there's a missing tooth, the rest of the teeth can move and shift out of place. A bridge not only hold the teeth in place but significantly helps chewing. Bridges are cemented in place and can not be removed. .They usually cover two teeth, one tooth in front and behind the missing tooth. Two teeth are prepared by reducing them in miniature and a crown is made to cover each of the two teeth. The teeth that hold the bridge are called abutment teeth. A false tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the other two crowns.

          Instead of making a crown bridge, a patient can also choose to use a dental implant to replace the missing tooth. This is a good idea if the teeth next to the missing teeth are untouched virgin teeth and if there is adequate bone for dental implants to fit in. This avoids cutting down two or more natural teeth.

          A crown bridge is usually made out of metal or a combination of metal and porcelain. The metal can be carefully hidden so that it looks natural as if you were never missing a tooth. Well planned restorations are cosmetically pleasing and usually last from seven to ten years but most insurance companies will pay for a new dental bridge every five years. With good oral hygiene it can last for decades.

         It is always better to keep your natural teeth. A crown bridge is one of the most expensive dental procedures that dentists provide. At the Atlanta Dental Group PC our staff can help you financially plan for the expense so that you can have needed dental care done and have the beautiful smile you deserve. If you would like to find out what Atlanta Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky can do for you, schedule a free dental consultation by calling 404-874-7428.