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Dental Bridges

All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and in 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 to maintain proper function of your mouth. When a tooth is lost, neighboring teeth start to move towards the empty space. The tooth can never be replaced naturally, but there are ways to make your mouth whole again. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.

Missing Tooth Options:

  • With an implant & crown
  • In some instances, with a removable partial denture
  • With a fixed bridge
What is a Fixed Bridge?
A fixed bridge is a great way to restore your dental health and appearance. A bridge is, as the name implies, an appliance that spans over the empty space created by the missing tooth. The adjacent teeth are prepared as for crowns, with one difference. The crowns, plus an artificial tooth or teeth which fills the gap, are all connected as one unit. The structural portion (interior) is made from metal for strength, then life-like porcelain is bonded to the outside of it.

Why Do I Need a Bridge?

If you’re 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. 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. A bridge maintains the shape of your face and alleviates stress in your bite by replacement of missing teeth. It also has an esthetically pleasing outward appearance if the missing tooth is in a noticeable area of the mouth.

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 they are used to make many of the sounds we use to speak clearly.

How is a Bridge Made?

The procedure usually takes up to four appointments to complete. At the first appointment Dr. Majcher will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing the outer layer.

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. A temporary bridge is then placed over the preparation.
When the bridge is ready in a few weeks, Dr. Majcher will then cement your new bridge onto the prepared teeth. At least two follow-up appointments will be necessary to be sure the bite is correct.
 

How Do I Take Care of My Bridge?

With good oral hygiene, your new bridge is made to last many years. 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. It is particularly important to clean the space underneath the bridge. A floss threader must be used to clean under your bridge. Dr. Majcher and his staff will teach you this technique.