Dental bridges are custom devices anchored to neighboring teeth that replace one or more missing teeth. When a lost tooth is replaced with bridgework, the teeth on either side of the missing one are prepared as dental crowns to serve as abutments to hold the prosthetic replacement tooth in place. Crowns and bridges at Plymouth Dental Care are made from superior materials such as semiprecious or precious metals, porcelain, or a fused combination of the two. Aesthetics, function, and tissue compatibility are considered when selecting the material most suitable for you.
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 bridges in our Plymouth / Minneapolis office may be the cosmetic solution you need to restore your dental health and achieve the dazzling smile you desire. Schedule a visit to our Plymouth office and let Dr. Nguyen transform your smile with top quality dental bridges.
Options for Dental Bridges
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 be and should be replaced. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.
What exactly are dental bridges or a fixed partial denture?
Bridges or fixed partial dentures are devices which fill the gaps 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 dental bridges?
- Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for wearing bridges. 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 the use of dental bridges.
- Missing teeth can cause speech disorders. Your teeth make many of the sounds you use to speak clearly.
How are dental bridges attached?
The attachment procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Dr. Nguyen will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin.
Since bridges must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to our laboratory where highly skilled technicians will construct the bridge to the doctors specifications.
Fixed bridges are typically cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic or false tooth replaces the lost tooth. Crowns, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.
What materials are used?
Bridges are most often made from superior materials such as semiprecious or precious metals, porcelain, or a fused combination of the porcelain to either metal.
How do I take care of my dental bridge?
A strict
regimen of
brushing and
flossing will
keep the bridge
and surrounding
teeth clean.
This is of
critical
importance
because the
bridge relies on
the neighboring
teeth for
support.