Are you a Candidate for a Dental Bridge?
If you are missing one or more teeth you may be a candidate for a dental bridge. Not only is a gap between your teeth unsightly, but other problems may arise as a result of the missing teeth. Missing teeth is not just a cosmetic problem. Chewing and talking may be more difficult and the teeth adjacent to the missing teeth can shift, affecting your bite.
One solution is to fabricate a dental bridge which literally bridges the gap where one or more teeth used to be. Dental bridges are designed to look, feel and function like the natural teeth they are replacing. Dental bridges are cemented to your natural teeth or to implants surrounding the empty space. These teeth are referred to as abutments and they serve to anchor the dental bridge. The replacement tooth is called a pontic and is attached to the crowns that cover the abutments. Pontics can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials.
Dental bridges:
- Restore the ability to chew and speak properly
- Restore your smile
- Maintain the shape of your face, preventing lip or face collapse
- Distribute the forces of your bite, alleviating stress on other teeth
- Prevents the remaining teeth from drifting out of position and into the gap
There are several types of dental bridges, each made with different materials and better suited for certain area of the mouth and for certain types of situations. A Fixed Dental Bridge is a non-removable prosthesis which is attached to remaining natural teeth.
While conventional fixed dental bridges are highly effective in restoring oral health to the mouth, they do require the natural teeth surrounding the gap to be trimmed down and capped with crowns that will support the bridge. Implant-supported bridges are an ideal alternative for some patients who have sufficient jawbone density. Dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone, where they integrate into the bone and can be used to support the bridge without the need for alteration of natural, healthy teeth.
Every patient is unique. To learn if you are a good candidate for a dental bridge, with or without dental implants, schedule an initial appointment with Dr. Gulbransen or Dr. Recksiedler, trained specialists and Prosthodontists. After evaluating your mouth, they will advise you of all the options available to you to restore your beautiful smile.
Implant-supported Fixed Dental Bridge
Conventional Dental Bridge