DENTAL BRIDGES

All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss doesn’t necessarily have to occur as you age, but if you do lose teeth they must be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.

Dental bridge options

A dental bridge — a device used to replace missing teeth — attaches procalain crowns that are fused together to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are either permanently attached (fixed bridges).

If you’re missing one or more teeth, you may be aware of their importance to your appearance and dental health. Your teeth work together for many daily functions from eating to speaking. With missing teeth, it’s difficult to do these things. Missing teeth can and should be replaced. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.

What exactly is a dental bridge or fixed partial denture?

A bridge (fixed partial denture) is a device which fills the gap where teeth are absent. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges, as the name implies, can be taken out and cleaned. Fixed bridges offer more stability than their removable counterparts.

Why do I need a dental bridge

Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for having a bridge. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older.

Dental health is the most important reason for a bridge. Teeth were designed to complement each other. Unusual stresses are placed on the gums and other oral tissues when teeth are missing, causing a number of potentially harmful disorders.

Missing teeth can cause speech disorders as they are used to make many of the sounds we use to speak clearly.

What is the treatment procedure for dental bridges?

The treatment procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Dr. Repta will prepare the teeth on either side of the missing tooth by removing a layer of the enamel.

Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to a lab where the bridge will be fabricated. A temporary bridge is placed while the lab make the permanent bridge. At the second appointment the temporary bridge is removed and the permanent bridge is cemented to the adjacent abutment teeth with permanent cement. A pontic (false tooth) replaces the lost tooth. Dental crowns , which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.

What materials are used for dental bridges?

Bridges can be constructed from porcelain (zirconia), gold alloys, non-precious alloys, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain is often bonded to either precious or non-precious metal.

How do I take care of my bridge?

A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is of critical importance as the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support. We highly recommand using a floss threader to floss underneath the bridge as well as using a water pick to flush out any food particles or debris.