A dental bridge is a device used to replace missing teeth. There are two types of bridges: removable bridges and fixed bridges. Removable bridges, as the name implies, can be taken out and cleaned and are often referred to as partial dentures. They attach to the surrounding teeth by either metal clasp, tooth-colored clasp, or milled precision attachments.
Fixed bridges are fabricated as a series of connected ceramic crowns, which are bonded with resin to the teeth beside the missing span.
Why are dental bridges important?
Dental health is the most important reason for a bridge. 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.
All of your teeth play an important role in speaking, chewing and maintaining tooth alignment. If you are missing a tooth, it must be replaced in order to maintain proper function of your mouth. The loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to sink and your face to look older. A bridge helps support your lips and cheeks.
Key Benefits of Dental Bridges
- Restore your smile
- Restore the ability to properly chew and speak
- Maintain the shape of your face
- Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
- Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position