Dental Bridges
All of your teeth play an important role speaking, chewing, and 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 in order to maintain proper function of your mouth. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.
What are dental bridges?
A bridge, which is a type of restoration used to replace missing teeth, attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are permanently attached (fixed bridges). If you are 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.
How is a bridge attached?
The procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment, the teeth on either side of the gap will be prepared by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin. Impressions of the teeth are then taken and sent to a lab where the bridge will be fabricated. At the final appointment, the bridge will be adjusted and permanently cemented to the abutment teeth.
How do I take care of my bridge?
A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge clean and the surrounding teeth healthy. This is of critical importance as the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.