Restoring a Severely Cracked or Fractured Tooth with a Bridge

It’s not unheard of for something like a blow to the face or a hard fall to crack or severely fracture one of your teeth. Sometimes the damage to the tooth is so extensive that it simply cannot be saved, even with a root canal. In a situation like this, Dr. [doctor_name] will often recommend that the cracked or fractured tooth be completely extracted. Once your gums have completely healed, [heshe] can then restore the tooth with a bridge.

A bridge basically mimics the appearance of a natural tooth. It is fused to a pair of crowns that are anchored on abutments formed from the neighboring teeth.

At your first appointment, Dr. [doctor_name] will form the abutments by removing the majority of enamel from each of the neighboring teeth. A small amount of enamel is left to protect the healthy interior of the teeth.

Dr. [doctor_name] will then take an impression of the abutments, the void, and your personal bite pattern. This will be used as a guide for the dental lab that makes your new bridge. Temporary crowns are then cemented over each abutment to protect them during the interim.

Dr. [doctor_name] will call you in for a brief second appointment when the dental lab has completed your bridge. The temporary crowns are removed, and your dentist will cement the permanent bridge in place.

If you have a severely cracked or fractured tooth, or a tooth that has recently been extracted, you should call Dr. [doctor_name] at [phone] to explore your restoration options.