Bridges

Do you have missing teeth? Are you looking for replacement options in Lewiston, Idaho? Mark W. Sheppard, DDS, offers many different tooth replacement procedures to fill your smile back in and improve your chewing and speech.

A dental bridge is one option for filling a gap in the teeth. Bridges are custom-made appliances with artificial teeth mounted onto a pink-colored plastic and wire frame. The frame is bonded to existing teeth to hold the bridge in the mouth permanently. Most of the artificial teeth are made of porcelain and color-matched to the natural teeth.

The most popular type of bridge is called the traditional bridge. Crowns are placed on the two abutting teeth, and then the bridge is bonded onto the backs of the crowns.

A Cantilever bridge is a good option if two abutting teeth are not available for bonding. Only one crown is placed, and the bridge is bonded to it.

Implant-supported bridges are considered extremely sturdy and strong. Two crowns are used for the bridge bonding, but they are cemented on top of two implants. This configuration takes a lot longer to complete due to the healing time for the implants. Permanent crowns are not placed on top of implants until healing is complete which can take three to six months.

The last bridge type is called Cantilever. It is the most economical option available as no crowns are used for bonding. The bridge is bonded directly onto the backs of the natural abutting teeth.

Call Dr. Sheppard at 208-743-2792 to discuss your bridge options.

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