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Northland Prosthodontics - Northland Denture Specialist - Whangarei

Specialised prosthodontic treatments for patients throughout Northland. Talk to us about dentures, missing teeth, worn out teeth, gappy smiles needing cosmetic dentistry, veneers, crowns (caps), bridges and implant crowns.

Appointments (09) 4867778

c/o North Shore OMS, 08/3 Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland
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You are here: Home | All Dental Treatments | Crowns and Bridges | Bridges

Bridges

Why would you choose a specialist prosthodontist to do your bridge πŸ€”

General dentists who offer crown and bridge treatments will usually have undergone less formal training, often having less experience than a specialist prosthodontist. They are usually limited to using more simple techniques, not being aware of advanced procedures used by specialist prosthodontists. They also sometimes are not able to diagnose those patients with more difficult mouths before commencing treatment.

Owing to specialist prosthodontists intensive training, they are in the best position to fully diagnose, plan and advise on appropriate treatment and use various crown and bridge techniques underpinned by scientific evidence, research and experience. In addition, specialist prosthodontists can therefore also treat both simple and more complex or challenging crown and bridge patients. They also work with more experienced dental technicians (who do their laboratory work) and dental surgery assistants (often working on the best cosmetic outcome) which means the β€œteam” treating you is the best than can be provided. This is certainly the case at Northland Prosthodontics !!!

A bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A bridge is made up of two crowns one on each tooth on either side of the gap – these two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth -and a false tooth/teeth in between.

Find out more about Implant Bridges…

What Are the Benefits of Bridges?

  • Restore your smile
  • Restore the ability to properly chew and speak
  • Maintain the shape of your face
  • Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
  • Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position

What Types of Bridges Are Available?

There are three main types of dental bridges:

  • Traditional bridges involve creating a crown for the tooth or implant on either side of the missing tooth, with a pontic in between. Traditional bridges are the most common type of bridge and are made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
  • Cantilever bridges are used when there are adjacent teeth on only one side of the missing tooth or teeth. This is not very common anymore and is not recommended in the back of the mouth where it can put too much force on other teeth and damage them.
  • Maryland bonded bridges (also called a resin-bonded bridge or a Maryland bridge) are made of porcelain, teeth supported by a metal or porcelain framework. Metal or porcelain wings often on just one side of the bridge are bonded to your existing teeth.

What Is the Process for Getting a Bridge?

During the first visit for getting a dental bridge, the abutment teeth are prepared. Preparation involves recontouring these teeth by removing a portion of enamel to allow room for a crown to be placed over them. Next, impressions of the teeth are made, which serve as a model from which the bridge, pontic, and crowns will be made by a dental lab. Your prosthodontist will make a temporary bridge to wear to protect the exposed teeth and gums while the bridge is being made.

During the second visit, your temporary bridge will be removed and the new porcelain bridge will be checked and adjusted, as necessary, to achieve a proper fit. Multiple visits may be required to check the fit of the framework and bite. If the dental bridge is a fixed bridge, your dentist may temporarily cement it in place for a couple of weeks to make sure it is fitting properly. After a couple weeks, the bridge is cemented into place.

How Long Do Bridges Last?

Dental bridges can last 15-20  years and even longer with good oral hygiene and regular checkups.

Case 1 – Front Ceramic Bridge – preparation and stages

Anterior bridge prparation
Anterior bridge – colour selection
Anterior bridge – temporary bridge
Anterior bridge – complete 1
Anterior bridge – complete 2
Anterior bridge after 3 years

Case 2 – Full mouth of ceramic crowns and bridges 3 years after fitting

Case 3 – Front Ceramic Bridge

Before – old bridge cracked
Before – digital design new bridge
After – new bridge
After – new bridge
2 Year recall
2 year recall

Case 4 – Front Ceramic Bridge

Before
Before
Before
Before
After
After
After

Case 5 – Front Metal Ceramic Bridges

Before
Before
Before
After
After
After

Case 5 – Front Ceramic Bridge

Before
Before
After
After

Case 6 – Back Bridge

4Before
Before
After
After

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Treatments

  • Bridges
  • Crowns
  • Implant bridges
  • Tooth Wear

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FAQs

  • What are the benefits of bridges?
  • What types of dental bridges are available?
  • Why choose an implant bridge?
  • What is the process of getting a dental bridge?
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Alan and Lesa both for making a stressful process much easier for me. Your care and consideration was amazing and it made a not very nice situation bearable. You both took the time to really care and I absolutely appreciate that – also a massive thank you for my new smile- I totally LOVE it – I will recommend you both to anyone looking for a great team – again … Many thanks! Leanne

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Make an appointment

We're open Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays from 9.00am - 4:30pm and Fridays 9.00am – 12 noon.
Phone us on 09 486 7778 or 0800 676 670 and ask for Rachel.
An initial prosthodontic consultation is usually recommended at $420-450 to determine your treatment needs. Email Us Now

We are at North Shore Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, 08/3 Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland and 3 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland.

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NORTHLAND PROSTHODONTICS LTD. Ph: 09 486 7778.