Dental Bridges
All of your teeth playan important role in speaking, chewing, and maintaining proper alignment of the surrounding teeth. Tooth loss doesn’t have to be a natural part of aging, but when teeth are lost, replacing them is essential to maintaining proper oral function. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers advanced solutions—supported by digital workflows—to correct tooth loss comfortably and precisely.
Dental Bridge Options
A dental bridge is a restoration used to replace one or more missing teeth by attaching artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth, known as abutment teeth. Using digital scans instead of traditional, messy impression materials, we design bridges that fit accurately and feel natural. Bridges may be permanently attached to natural teeth or dental implants
Fixed bridges are placed either by fitting crowns on the abutment teeth or by bonding the artificial teeth directly to them. Our digital workflow allows for precise planning and fabrication, resulting in a more comfortable experience and predictable results.
If you’re missing one or more teeth, you may already notice changes in your appearance and dental health. Your teeth work together for everyday functions like eating and speaking, and missing teeth can make these tasks more difficult. Fixed bridges provide a reliable, long-term solution to restore both function and appearance—made easier and more comfortable through modern digital dentistry.
Do you have missing teeth that need to be replaced?
Dental bridges can replace multiple missing teeth to restore your smile and appearance. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
What exactly is a dental bridge or fixed partial denture?
A bridge (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 partial dentures, 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, 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 dental bridge attached?
The attachment procedure usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Dr. Fredal, Dr. Fredal Malek, Dr. Fredal Downs or Dr. Downs will prepare the teeth on either side of the gap by removing a portion of the enamel and dentin.
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.
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.