Fill Gaps Caused By 1 To 3 Missing Teeth
Addressing gaps in your mouth is essential not just for aesthetic reasons but also for maintaining your oral health over the long term. A dental bridge, often referred to as a ‘fixed partial denture,’ fills these spaces with a prosthetic tooth that is anchored by either dental implants, your natural teeth, or a combination of both. This solution is permanently attached—bonded or cemented—directly onto your teeth and does not need to be removed for cleaning or sleeping. Without addressing these gaps, missing teeth can disrupt your ability to chew and speak properly, and can cause existing teeth to shift out of place.
Long-Lasting Benefits of Dental Bridges
Feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable can result from missing one or more teeth. A dental bridge not only helps restore the normal look and function of your smile but also preserves the health of adjacent teeth and the jawbone. Here are the primary advantages of using a dental bridge:
Comfort
Immediate advantages are noticeable and significant. Dental bridges provide a long-lasting solution to the discomfort caused by missing teeth, offering relief for more than ten years with proper care. Regain the natural appearance and comfort of your smile, allowing you to smile and eat with confidence once again. Missing teeth not only feel uncomfortable, but gaps can also make speaking or eating difficult and sometimes painful.
Tooth Health
Missing teeth can change your bite and create gaps that allow other teeth to drift. A dental bridge prevents this movement, reducing the risk of decay, periodontal disease, and TMJ disorders, while maintaining your facial structure.
Bone Health
Using a dental bridge to stabilize your dental health can slow the deterioration of the jawbone associated with missing teeth. Healthy teeth are crucial for maintaining the health of the bone and tissues that support them. As dental health declines, the integrity of these structures also diminishes.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Permanent and semi-permanent bridges are fixed dental prostheses cemented to adjacent teeth or implants, with permanent ones non-removable except by a dentist and semi-permanent ones removable for adjustments. Partial dentures are removable, including replacement teeth on a gum-colored base, and can be taken out for daily cleaning.
A dental cantilever bridge is a specific type of bridge designed for situations where there are no supporting teeth on both sides of a gap. It attaches to only one neighbouring tooth. These bridges are not commonly used today, especially not in the back of the mouth, because they can put too much pressure on the single supporting tooth and cause damage. For gaps located at the back of the mouth, alternative dental treatments are recommended.
Getting a dental bridge typically involves two visits to the dentist, with each session lasting less than an hour.
For our dental bridge procedures, we primarily use porcelain due to its aesthetic appeal and durability. Dental bridges can also be constructed from materials like gold alloys, non-precious alloys, or a combination of these.
Dental bridges and crowns are distinct dental restorations with different purposes. A dental crown is a prosthetic cap placed over a damaged, chipped, or worn tooth to strengthen it and prevent further decay. On the other hand, a dental bridge is specifically designed to fill the gap left by one or more missing teeth, essentially “bridging” the space between the remaining teeth.
No, a single crown cannot fill a gap from a missing tooth. Crowns need support from an existing tooth, a partial tooth with a post, or a dental implant.
Yes, bridges can be crafted from zirconia. We would be happy to provide you with details about the available materials and offer recommendations suited to your specific requirements. Feel free to ask us for more information.