Dental Bridges in Spring Hill
All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and in maintaining proper alignment of other teeth. If you do lose teeth, they must be replaced to maintain proper function of your mouth. Fixed bridges are a great way to restore your dental health and appearance.
What exactly is a dental bridge?
A bridge (or 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. 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 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.
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.
Fill the Gaps with a Natural-Looking Bridge
Drs. Madeline Berk and Lars Berk at Lil' Teeth by Oloph in Spring Hill, FL, provides custom dental bridges to replace missing teeth, restore your bite, and bring back your confident smile.
How is a dental bridge attached?
The attachment procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Drs. Berk or Berk will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap.
Since the bridge must be fabricated very precisely to ensure correct bite and to match the opposing tooth, digital scans 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. Dental crowns, which are cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the bridge.
What materials are used for dental bridges?
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.
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.
