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Fixed Bridges

diagram of a fixed bridgeWhen you lose a tooth, it does more than just affect your smile. Even losing just one tooth can affect just about every aspect of your life. You can suffer tooth loss for a variety of reasons, including gum disease, facial trauma, and severe gum disease. No matter how you lose your tooth, it is important that you have it replaced right away. Pacific Oral & Facial Surgery Center can replace a missing tooth with a fixed bridge.

What Happens When I Lose a Tooth?

Losing a tooth can have a major impact on the functions of your mouth and your quality of life, even if it cannot be seen when you smile.
•  Biting and chewing may become more difficult, which can then impact your digestion.
•  You may develop a lisp or other speech difficulties.
•  Food can become trapped in the empty space, increasing your risk for cavities and gum disease.
•  Bite pressure becomes uneven, increasing your risk for tooth damage.
•  Adjacent teeth begin to shift out of alignment, which then causes other teeth begin to shift out of place. Eventually, this can affect your smile, even if the missing tooth cannot be seen.

What is a Fixed Bridge?

A fixed bridge is a common dental restoration used to replace a missing tooth. It is the most common type of bridge used. Typically made from porcelain, the restoration consists of a false tooth, which looks just like the missing tooth, that sits in the empty space. This pontic tooth is held in place thanks to two dental crowns, one on each side. The crowns are affixed to the adjacent teeth, or abutment teeth, which anchor the restoration securely in place.

What to Expect During Bridge Placement

It typically requires two separate appointments to place a fixed bridge. During your first appointment, a local anesthetic is administered, and the abutment teeth are prepared. This process involves removing a portion of the enamel from each tooth so that the crowns fit easily over them and your bridge sits naturally in place. Once the teeth have been prepared, an impression of your mouth is taken, and a temporary restoration is set into place.

The impression is sent to our dental lab, where it is used to design and fabricate your custom bridge. Once it is ready and has been sent back, you have your second appointment. During this appointment, the finalized bridge is checked for fit, comfort, and a natural bite before being secured into place on the abutment teeth with a specialized dental cement.

Benefits of a Fixed Bridge

Fixed bridges provide several benefits.
•  You can bite and normally chew again, which can aid in improving your digestion as well as your overall nutrition.
•  Your speech is restored to normal.
•  Your oral health improves.
•  Bite pressures are evenly restored, which helps to prevent the risk of tooth damage.
•  Your adjacent teeth are prevented from shifting out of alignment.

A fixed bridge can provide an effective replacement for a missing tooth, restoring the functions of the tooth and your quality of life. For more information, and to find out if a fixed bridge is right for you, call Pacific Oral & Facial Surgery Center at 925-290-7727 today.

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