|
|||||||||||||||||
Fixed Bridges
A Stable Solution
If you’ve lost teeth due to accidents, injury, or gum disease, we
can create a permanent 'bridge' appliance to replace the missing teeth.
Not only does a bridge fill the missing space, thereby preventing repositioning
of remaining teeth, but it also corrects an altered bite, improves chewing
ability and speech articulation, and supports facial structure to preserve
your appearance. A ‘fixed’ bridge is permanently joined onto
the neighboring 'abutment' teeth on either side of the toothless area,
and consists of three basic units: the false tooth or teeth (called a
pontic) and two abutment teeth crowns. The most appropriate style will
depend on the strength and health of those neighboring teeth, as well
as the location of the toothless span in relation to the rest of your
dentition. If healthy adjacent 'anchor' teeth aren't available, a surgically
implanted metal post or dental 'implant' 
may be an alternate choice.
And
finally, for a large span of missing teeth, a removable partial denture
or implant-supported prosthesis may be our recommendation.
Fastidious Fitting
Bridge placement and fitting is fairly straightforward. We will simply reduce the adjacent abutment teeth as needed to anchor the bridge, take a careful impression of your mouth, and have the lab custom-fabricate your bridge. Upon delivery of the restoration, Dr. Shannon will fit it into place and check for function, looks, and comfort. Including the time required for the lab to fabricate the bridge, the entire process requires only a couple of appointments over a two to four week period. Once it's in place, you'll need to practice excellent oral hygiene around your bridge area: twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and regular professional cleanings at our office. In addition, we may recommend floss threaders to help remove bacteria from hard to reach spaces between the bridge and your adjacent teeth and gums, thus preventing food debris and plaque build-up that can quietly and imperceptibly lead to gum disease. With proper care, you can expect your fixed bridge to last at least 8-10 years.
