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 — permanently attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutments.
Fixed bridges are applied by placing crowns on the abutment teeth connected to pontics (false teeth) that replace the missing teeth.
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.
The bridge procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment the teeth on either side of the gap are prepared by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin.
Impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to a lab where the bridge will be constructed.
At a separate appointment, the restoration is then permanently cemented onto the natural teeth, which provide support for the bridge. Following the procedure, your dentist or hygienist will show you how to take care of your new bridge.