Dental Bridges An Overview
Dental bridges are used for patients who have one or more missing teeth. A dental bridge will “bridge” the gap between teeth.
Dental bridges become necessary when teeth are missing. A bridge keeps the remaining teeth spaced and aligned properly. Dental bridges are made to match the surrounding natural teeth and placed on a metal bar. The healthy teeth on either side of the bridge will be crowned and then the bridge is attached. The permanent teeth will be made of porcelain, metal, or a combination of both. Our dentist will determine which material will be best for your situation.
There are several types of dental bridges. A fixed dental bridge is the most common, but they can also be made removable. In this type of dental restoration, the prosthetic tooth is anchored to neighboring teeth using dental crowns.
Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth
It is extremely important to replace missing teeth to prevent long term damage and future problems. Once a tooth is lost, the bone begins to deteriorate. The longer the area is exposed, the more likely the bone is to suffer significant loss and for gum disease to occur.
Missing teeth don’t just cause cosmetic concerns. The teeth are extremely important for chewing as well as speech. The teeth also provide support to the lower face. People who are missing teeth often look older than they are with a sagging or drooping appearance.