Dental bridges can be made of various materials and come in many different sizes. The most common bridge these days is made out of porcelain and spans three teeth.

Here is an example of an anterior (front) three unit porcelain bridge:

As you can see, the bridge is tooth colored and is designed to replace three front teeth on the upper arch. If this bridge were on the bottom, it would look about the same, except that the chewing edges would be facing up, and the part that holds onto to the roots would be at the bottom.

Here is an example of another upper dental bridge, but this time involving all six anterior teeth. Here, the teeth may be made as one solid piece, or may be made as two separate bridges, spanning a total of six teeth. Again, this bridge is an example of an upper dental bridge. A lower would be similar, but facing up.

Finally, there are bridges that can span a total arch. In these cases, the bridge is sometimes made of zirconium, and is designed to be stronger than a normal porcelain bridge This is an example of a fourteen-unit upper porcelain dental bridge.

With these stronger materials, we can make a single bridge to cover an entire arch.

While this type of reconstruction is not that common, it is possible. In our office, we have made many full arch bridges.

Other types of dental bridges:

1. Full gold bridges. While these are not that common anymore, it is possible to cast and cement solid gold bridges.

2. Posterior porcelain-fused-to-gold bridges. These are more common, and have the added advantage of having a metal substructure for rigidity and marginal fit.

3. Removable bridges. These are are quite uncommon, but can be made when the fixed bridge is not recommended.

4. Maryland bridges. This type of bridge is a special method of restoration where the teeth on either side of the missing one are not prepared.

Click here to learn more about Maryland Bridges.

Contact Us

If you think you may need a dental bridge, please contact us - either by phone or online. We will schedule a complimentary examination appointment for you at your earliest convenience.

Our telephone number is 650-965-1234.

Best Regards,

Dr. Burch

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