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 have to occur as you age, but if you do lose teeth they should be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.

Dental Bridge Options

A dental bridge is a device used to replace missing teeth.  It attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are usually permanently attached with bonding cement.  

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.  Missing teeth can and should be replaced. Fixed dental bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.

Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for wearing a bridge. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks.

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.

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

How is a dental bridge made?

Fabricating a fixed bridge usually takes two appointments to complete. At the first appointment Dr. Mathias 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. 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 precious or non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials.

How do I take care of my bridge?

A proper 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.