Dental Bridges

Uptown Charlotte Smiles, the office of Barrett G. Moore, DDS, PA – Charlotte NC

All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing, smiling, and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. Tooth loss does not 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.

Options to Replace Missing Teeth

A bridge a device used to replace missing teeth attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Fixed bridges are applied by bonding the artificial teeth directly to the abutment teeth.

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 is difficult to do these things and will cause your remaining teeth to shift. This can lead to other problems, which are not easily corrected. Missing teeth can and should be replaced. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.

 

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What exactly is a bridge or fixed partial denture?

A bridge (fixed partial denture) is a device, which fills the gap where teeth are absent. Fixed bridges are bonded into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Fixed bridges offer more stability than their removable counterparts.

Why do I need a dental bridge?

Oral functionality and appearance are important reasons for wearing a bridge. 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 a bridge.

Missing teeth can cause speech disorders, as teeth are used to make many of the sounds we use to speak clearly.

How is a bridge attached?

The attachment procedure usually takes two appointments to complete. At the first appointment, Dr. Moore or will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin.

Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to a lab where the bridge will be constructed.

Fixed bridges are typically cemented to the natural teeth next to the space left by the missing tooth. A pontic (false tooth) replaces the lost tooth. Crowns, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.

What materials are used?

Bridges can be constructed from gold alloys, non-precious alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Porcelain is often bonded to either precious or non-precious metal or to zirconium (which is a white metal) for optimal esthetics.

How do I take care of my bridge?

A strict regimen of brushing and flossing will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is of critical importance, as the bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.