Porcelain Fixed Bridges
As much as we try to take care of our dental health, tooth loss happens. Dentists have mastered the art of replacing lost teeth & their toolkits are full of solutions to fit your specific needs.
It is important to understand that replacing a missing tooth is not just about looks. After losing a tooth, the surrounding teeth can shift out of place & it may become difficult for you to bite, chew & speak. The resulting bone shifting can even affect your overall facial structure.
Replacing missing or rotten teeth is essential to keeping your mouth healthy in the long run. A missing tooth can cause more trouble than just an unsightly gap in your smile. Tooth loss can cause your remaining teeth to shift around the gap, changing the alignment of your smile & even causing changes in your facial aesthetics.
What Is A Dental Bridge?
Dental bridges are designed to replace a missing tooth & to stabilize the teeth on either side of the gap. There are few types of bridges available, but in most cases, bridges consist of a fake tooth (known as a pontic) that is supported by one or more neighboring teeth. Unlike a dental implant, a tooth replaced by a bridge is not directly rooted in your jaw, but is instead attached to nearby teeth.
A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance that can be a convenient way to restore your smile when you have one or more missing teeth. The bridge gets its name because it literally “bridges the gap” between the remaining teeth.
Dr. Nicholas Sowles offers several types of bridges. Porcelain fixed bridges are the most popular because they closely replicate the look & feel of natural teeth. This type of bridge consists of a pontic (artificial tooth) that is fused between dental crowns applied to the teeth on either side of the gap (abutment teeth).
Unlike removable partial dentures, fixed bridges cannot be taken out of your mouth. They remain in place as you eat, speak & sleep—just like natural teeth. For this reason, some people choose to upgrade from a removable appliance to a fixed bridge.
Dental bridges are highly durable & with proper care can last more than ten years; however, they may need repair or replacement due to normal wear.
A fixed bridge will:
• Restore your smile by filling the gap left by missing teeth.
• Support the facial tissues for a youthful look.
• Help prevent the remaining teeth from shifting.
• Help restore the ability to chew & speak naturally.
• Remain in place as you eat, speak & sleep—just like natural teeth.
Getting a bridge usually requires two visits. First, the teeth are numbed & a portion of enamel is removed from the two anchoring teeth to accommodate crowns. Next, a highly accurate impression (mold) is taken & sent to a dental laboratory. While the permanent fixed bridge is being fabricated at the laboratory (a process that takes several weeks), a temporary bridge is put in place for your comfort & protection.
During your second visit, your new custom bridge will be carefully inspected, adjusted & precisely & permanently cemented into place. In order to allow your teeth & gums to get used to the new appliance, Dr. Sowles may choose to apply temporary cement, waiting until a subsequent visit to permanently cement the bridge in place.
At the office of Dr. Nicholas Sowles we use the latest technology & finest materials to produce porcelain fixed bridges that offer superior fit, function & aesthetics. We will provide you with instructions on how to care for your new appliance. As with natural teeth, proper oral hygiene, good eating habits & regular dental visits will help maintain the life of your porcelain fixed bridge.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about fixed porcelain bridges or to schedule a smile consultation with Dr. Sowles.