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bridges
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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. |
Options
A bridge — a device used to replace missing teeth
— attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural
teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are either permanently
attached (fixed bridges), or they can be removable.
Fixed bridges are applied by either placing crowns
on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth
directly to the abutment teeth. Removable bridges are
attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision
attachments.
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.
Why
do I need a bridge?
Oral functionality and appearance are important
reasons for wearing 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.
Increased risk of gum disease has proven to be one
of the worst side effects of missing teeth and can
be minimized with a bridge.
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What exactly is
a 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. |
Missing teeth can cause speech disorders as they
are used to make many of the sounds we use to speak clearly.
How is a bridge attached?
The attachment procedure usually takes two or three appointments
to complete. At the first appointment Dr. Tannis will
prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing
a portion of the enamel and dentin.
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 constructed.
Fixed bridges are typically cemented to the natural teeth
next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic
(false tooth) replaces the lost tooth. Crowns, which are
cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the
bridge.
What materials are used?
Bridges can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious
alloys, porcelain, 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
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