Dental Bridges Midtown Atlanta

Replacing Missing Teeth

While you may be aware of a missing tooth’s impact on your appearance, it is also important to understand how it impacts your dental health.

All your teeth play an important role in working together to speak, chew, and maintain proper alignment.

It’s difficult to do these things when teeth are missing. If you lose teeth, they should be replaced to maintain proper mouth function.

Fortunately, there are options for correcting tooth loss to restore your dental health and appearance. If the adjacent teeth are healthy, discuss with your dentist the benefits of dental implants to avoid filing down healthy teeth.

A fixed bridge is ideal if the adjacent support teeth exhibit decay or need crowns.

A dental bridge literally fills the gap left by a missing tooth. It consists of two crowns placed on the existing teeth on either side of the space. Using the two surrounding teeth as anchors, a false tooth (or pontic) is placed in place of the missing tooth.

A dental bridge may be necessary to prevent:

• Shifting of the teeth can lead to bite problems (occlusion) and/or jaw problems and resultant periodontal disease.
• Damage to remaining teeth. Bridges safeguard the integrity of existing teeth and help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.

There are two main types of dental bridges, namely:

• The Fixed Bridge is the most common type and consists of a false tooth attached to two crowns, which fit over the existing teeth and hold the bridge in place.
• The Maryland or Bonded Bridge sometimes replaces a missing front tooth. The artificial tooth is bonded to the tongue side of the adjacent teeth with a metal or ceramic retainer.

How is a dental bridge made?

This restoration usually takes two or three appointments to complete. At the first appointment Dr. Hochberg or Dr. Diora will prepare and reshape the teeth on either side of the gap.

Since the dental bridge must be fabricated precisely to ensure a correct bite and match the opposing teeth, impressions 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. Crowns (abutments), cemented onto the natural teeth, provide support for the dental bridge.

What materials are used for dental bridges?

Bridges can be constructed from porcelain (ceramic) or porcelain fused to metal (gold alloys). One of the newest products is the zirconia all-ceramic bridge for superior strength and aesthetics.

How do I take care of my dental bridge?

A normal brushing and flossing regimen will keep the bridge and surrounding teeth clean. This is critical as the dental bridge relies on the neighboring teeth for support.

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