Dental Bridge

Dental bridges are used to restore your teeth when one or more of them are missing. In order for a bridge to be placed, the surrounding teeth must be in good enough shape to hold the crowns that support the bridge.

The Fixed Bridge
A fixed dental bridge is a natural-looking false tooth, which is fused between two porcelain crowns to fill in the open space created by a missing tooth. The two surrounding porcelain crowns are bonded to your natural teeth to hold the false tooth in place. Fixed dental bridges can be used to replace one or more missing teeth. Since they are bonded to your natural teeth, fixed bridges cannot be removed like you can do with removable partial dentures. At the same time, they are a more permanent, comfortable and functional alternative to removable dentures.

Why You May Need a Bridge
When you have a loose tooth or one that is missing, the areas of empty space between your teeth can begin to cause problems for your remaining teeth. You are also more susceptible to gum disease in those areas. Deciding to have a bridge placed can aid in preventing such problems as:

• Speech issues
• Exposure to gum disease
• Shifting of teeth
• Issues with neuromuscular function (your bite)