Functional, Aesthetic Solutions for Missing Teeth.
A fixed bridge is an ideal method used to replace missing teeth. River Oaks Dental experts can use dental bridges to restore a natural look to your mouth as well as reestablish function. Fixed bridges are very durable and can offer a lifetime of confident smiles.
What are Fixed Bridges?
Using one or more artificial teeth, the bridge is cemented into place using the natural teeth on either side of the missing tooth (or teeth) for support. Bridge work is as much an art as it is an exact science as it replaces a missing tooth both functionally and cosmetically. Bridges also prevent your remaining teeth from moving into the empty space.
The most common type of bridge is a permanent, or fixed, bridge, which is a crown on the adjacent natural teeth and connected by a false tooth. A dental crown is essentially a covering that is placed over an existing tooth. Crowns are typically recommended for patients seeking to replace defective fillings or to protect teeth from cracking.
A fixed bridge may be made from gold alloys, porcelain bonded to metal alloy, or ceramic material made to match your natural tooth color. The choice of material depends on each patient’s requirements for strength, wear, and aesthetics. Don’t worry – the experts at River Oaks Dental will help you select the material that is right for you.
Who is a Candidate for a Fixed Bridge?
If you have a missing tooth or teeth, you may be a candidate for a fixed bridge if you have otherwise good oral health and solid adjacent tooth and bone structure.
It is important to replace a missing tooth as soon as possible. Left untreated, the teeth surrounding the gap may begin to shift into the missing space. Since teeth use their neighbors for support, if one tooth is missing the others begin to “fall” and shift into the open space. This change in tooth position may significantly alter your bite, which could lead to more significant problems such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
