TREATMENTS

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 and preserve facial appearance. Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss.

Dental Bridge Options

A bridge - a device used to replace missing teeth - attaches artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, called abutment teeth. Bridges are either permanently attached (fixed bridges), or they can be removable.

Fixed bridges are applied by either cementing crowns to the natural abutment teeth or dental implants. Removable bridges are attached to the teeth with metal clasps or by precision attachments.

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. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.

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 cemented into place and can only be removed by a dental professional. Removable bridges, as the name implies, can be taken out and cleaned. Fixed bridges offer more stability than their removable counterparts.

Why do I need a 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 prematurally 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, facial muscles, and jaw joints when teeth are missing; causing a number of potentially harmful disorders including TMD (temporal mandibular dysfunction) and its associated jaw and muscle pain.

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 permanant bridge fabricated?

The fabrication procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Drs. Adams will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin. Our dental ceramist can facilitate a beautiful esthetic result. The ceramist may be consulted to ensure a color match that will blend perfectlly with adjacent teeth.

Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing teeth, impressions of the teeth are taken and sent to our laboratory where the bridge will be constructed. Your dental work is fabricated right here in Clearwater, FL by a certified dental lab technician whose office is adjacent to our practice.

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.

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.