A dental bridge is a fixed prosthetic device designed to replace one or more missing teeth. This restoration physically “bridges” the gap in the dental arch. It consists of an artificial tooth, called a pontic, fused between two crowns. These crowns are secured to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants, known as abutments. The bridge restores the patient’s ability to chew and speak properly while improving the aesthetic appearance of their smile.
The Role of the General Practitioner
The General Practitioner (GP) is the provider who handles the majority of conventional fixed bridge placements. They manage the entire clinical process for routine cases, beginning with the initial diagnosis and comprehensive treatment planning. The GP confirms that the surrounding abutment teeth are healthy enough to support the new restoration.
The procedure starts with preparing the abutment teeth by reshaping and reducing their enamel and dentin. This preparation creates the necessary space for the bridge’s crowns to fit over the teeth without adding excessive bulk. The GP then takes a precise impression of the prepared teeth, which serves as the mold for the custom-fabricated bridge.
A temporary bridge is then placed by the GP to protect the prepared teeth while the permanent restoration is being manufactured. Once the laboratory returns the finished appliance, the GP performs the final seating, checking the fit, bite alignment, and aesthetics. The bridge is then permanently secured to the abutment teeth using a strong dental cement, completing the restoration process.
Advanced Procedures and Specialist Involvement
While general dentists handle most procedures, a specialist with advanced training often takes over for more complex cases. Prosthodontists are dental specialists who focus on the restoration and replacement of teeth, having completed three additional years of post-doctoral training. They are consulted for extensive full-mouth reconstructions, challenging bite alignments, or cases requiring specialized materials and techniques.
The Prosthodontist’s expertise ensures the restoration is designed for maximum function and durability, particularly when multiple teeth are being replaced or the patient has existing jaw issues. Other surgical specialists, such as Periodontists or Oral Surgeons, become involved when the bridge is supported by dental implants rather than natural teeth.
The surgical specialist places the fixture, which must heal and fuse with the bone before it can be used to anchor the bridge. Following the surgical phase, the General Dentist or Prosthodontist designs and places the final bridge restoration onto the healed implants. This collaborative approach ensures the surgical foundation and the prosthetic restoration are handled by the most experienced provider.
The Fabrication Process
The physical creation of the dental bridge is handled by the Dental Lab Technician, a skilled artisan who works outside of the clinical setting. The technician receives the precise impressions and detailed specifications, or “prescription,” from the dentist or specialist. They use this information to fabricate a restoration that matches the exact contours and shade of the patient’s mouth.
Technicians utilize a variety of materials, including porcelain, metal alloys, and ceramics like zirconia, to construct the final appliance. Their work involves a high degree of precision and artistry, requiring the layering and firing of porcelain in specialized ovens to achieve a lifelike appearance. The final custom-fit bridge is a product of this technical expertise, ready to be cemented into the patient’s mouth by the clinical team.