Dental Bridge Options Explained
In this video, Dr. Karen Bacerra Penagos explains the choices patients have for replacing one missing tooth, and how the right option protects both function and healthy natural teeth.
When a patient needs a dental bridge, it is usually because they are missing a single tooth. That missing tooth typically sits between two natural teeth. In a traditional bridge, we reshape the teeth on either side of the gap and use them to support a replacement tooth, called a pontic. Together, this creates a fixed prosthesis that fills the space.
Today, there are alternatives to this approach. In many cases, we can replace the missing tooth with a dental implant instead. This allows us to fill the gap without reshaping the neighboring teeth, which is often a preferred option.
However, an implant is not always possible due to bone levels, medical factors, or other limitations. In those situations, a traditional dental bridge remains a reliable and effective solution. Having both options allows us to choose the best approach for each individual patient.
